Vancouver's firefighters have mobilized to help families affected by the B.C. wildfires — and they want locals to show their support.
On Wednesday, Sept. 6, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., 70 off-duty firefighters will host a city-wide Boot Drive to raise funds for the Canadian Red Cross. They will collect cash and credit card donations at five major transit hubs across the city:
- Waterfront Station (Cordova Street between Seymour and Granville);
- City Centre Station (corner of Granville and Georgia);
- Burrard Street Station (corner of Burrard and Dunsmuir);
- Cambie Street Station (corner of W. Broadway and Cambie)
- Commercial Station (corner of Broadway and Commercial)
“Like all British Columbians, our members have been watching the events unfolding across the province and wanted to do our part and provide some relief for the families who have lost their homes and livelihoods,” said Vancouver Firefighter Charities (VFC) executive director James Docherty.
”We’re hoping to get as many people as possible to join us and show our collective support for our fellow B.C. residents who are in need.”
Provincial state of emergency extended due to B.C. wildfires
B.C. extended its state of emergency on Sept. 1, warning that drought conditions could persist into 2024.
Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said the extension of the state of emergency until Sept. 14 is needed in case additional extraordinary orders are required to respond to the more than 400 fires.
About 4,200 people in B.C. remained on evacuation order, with 65,000 on evacuation alert to be ready to leave their homes on short notice, Ma said. During the peak of the crisis, 30,000 people across the province were ordered out of their homes, and hundreds of homes have been destroyed.
To learn more about the VFC and its fundraising events and initiatives, visit its website.
With files from the Canadian Press.
