Staff and volunteers working for The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services have had a very busy summer, reaching displaced families and exhausted firefighers and other emergency workers, with fresh meals and other means of support, all over British Columbia.

It started in Kelowna, as massive fires forced over 10,000 residents from their homes.

The Salvation Army was on scene immediately. They started by handing out fresh water, relieving emergency workers and frightened families, exhausted under the hot Okanagan sun. Eventually, The Salvation Army had fully set up camp, as a key contributor to the provincial coordinated relief efforts. The Salvation Army's contributions included serving thousands of meals each day, and supporting efforts at the reception area, where displaced residents could attain support.

On Tuesday, July 21st, five days after people were initially evacuated, 6000 evacuees were able to return to their homes. Major Gordon Armstrong was happy that many residents were able to return to their homes, but knew the fight was not over, and that many others still needed the Army's support.

“We're happy that some of the people are allowed to go back to their homes,” he said. “It's still hot and dry, and smoky in the area, but many people's spirits have been lifted knowing that it's getting closer to the end.”

Even when the 6000 evacuees were able to return home, The Salvation Army remained very busy in Kelowna, continuing to serve 2000 meals per day to remaining evacuated families, emergency staff and volunteers, until the fires were contained enough for everyone to return to their homes.

The Salvation Army continues to serve firefighters and emergency workers in Lillooet, BC, and will happily be wrapping up services there as soon as the fire in that region is fully contained.

In Vancouver, on Thursday, July 30, 2009, The Salvation Army was on scene to support firefighters as they fought the devastating Khalsa school fire. They relieved the firefighters with hot grilled cheese sandwiches, fresh fruit, cold water and other snacks.

The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services workers and volunteers operating in the BC interior have now served well over 10,000 meals. They continue their necessary work at emergency reception centres in Kelowna and Kamloops, providing food, water, energy bars, and other necessities such as toothbrushes and deodorant, as well as counsel for frustrated evacuees and aspirin for firefighters.