On Sunday, July 9, Ashcroft mayor Jack Jeyes spoke with The Journal about recent events in the community and the area. Jeyes made the following statement.
“On behalf of council and the citizens of Ashcroft, I want to address the events that have happened in our communities in the last three days.
“As of this time it appears that Ashcroft has survived the initial danger posed by the fire that started on July 6; but we are sorry for what our friends and neighbours on the Ashcroft Reserve, in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, and Cache Creek have suffered.
“Kudos to the B.C. Wildfire Branch, the Ashcroft Volunteer Fire Department, and the Ashcroft Village Crew for their heroic efforts in trying to save and protect what they could.
“Subsequent to the initial day of damage, kudos to BC Hydro and their contractors, and Telus and their contractors, for their efforts in restoring power and telephone as soon as they did.
“On the local scale, thank you to CP and Loblaws for their donation of water for all area residents. Thanks also to Costco and Safety Mart for supplying food and water for the firefighters and volunteers, and to the Ashcroft Legion for supplying meals for the firefighters, volunteers, and community members. And thank you to the individuals who brought food to the fire hall.
“Not only do we owe a debt of gratitude to our first responders, we owe many thanks to their spouses and families for all the behind-the-scenes work they do.
“This all just shows the value of living in a small community that comes together at a time of need to support its neighbours and citizens.”