Red Cross helps out with Rock Creek fires
By Contributor
The Canadian Red Cross joins others across British Columbia today, expressing sadness over the loss of homes and property in Rock Creek and Oliver.
Fires dealt a difficult blow to many B.C. families over the past few days, destroying more than 30 homes.
“Most of us can hardly imagine losing our home to a wildfire,” said Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Board Chair Grace McGregor. “The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary knows people living in the Rock Creek area will need lots of support. We are pleased to have the Red Cross here to help lead the recovery.”
The Red Cross is working alongside the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and other agencies to provide assistance to fire evacuees.
“We feel tremendous sympathy for those who have lost so much to these wildfires, and we remain thankful that people were able to safely escape these fast-moving flames,” said Kimberley Nemrava, Red Cross Provincial Director for B.C. and Yukon. “The Red Cross and our partners will be working with fire evacuees in the coming days to help assess their needs and support them through this challenging time.”
Anyone trying to locate family members evacuated from the Rock Creek wildfire can contact 1-888-350-6070 where volunteers and staff in our Telus Red Cross call centre are working to re-connect people with loved ones.
The Red Cross has now opened a B.C. Wildfires 2015 fund to support people impacted by fires like the ones in Oliver and Rock Creek. The Red Cross will use donations to this fund to help meet the short and long term recovery needs of people impacted by wildfires across the province.
To support the Canadian Red Cross B.C. Wildfires 2015 fund, please donate online at www.redcross.ca/bcwildfires2015, or by calling 1-800-418-1111.
