Seniors flee B.C. wildfire, found safe thanks to Apple AirTag and strangers' help

Two sisters, living in Florida and Nova Scotia, found their parents safe after a rapid wildfire evacuation from their Summerland, British Columbia, care home thanks to an Apple AirTag on their dog's collar. Their parents were among 238 seniors relocated from two long-term care facilities due to the aggressive Bald Range wildfire.

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I woke up to my sister texting me; she lives in Nova Scotia and I’m in Florida, with a link to the wildfires saying that the whole town of Summerland has been evacuated.

Helen Gonzalez, one of the sisters, woke up to news of the evacuation and couldn't reach her parents by phone. Remembering their dog, Christy, had an AirTag, she tracked their location to the Penticton Convention Centre. While relieved they were likely safe, she worried about their medical needs, as her father has lung cancer and her mother suffers from memory loss.

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So we called their cellphone, which they don’t really use very often. Of course, there’s no answer.

Gonzalez then posted a plea on a community Facebook page. The response was immediate, with community members assuring her they had seen her parents and that they were well. One woman living near the convention centre found them, ensured they had comfortable beds and food, and allowed Gonzalez to speak with her father, an emotional moment for both.

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I figured they were probably safe.

Richard Harding, chief operating officer of Clinical Operations IH North at Interior Health Authority, stated that the rapid change from alert to evacuation order required prioritizing resident safety. Interior Health has set up a helpline for families and continues to connect with them. Gonzalez expressed deep gratitude for the community's support, calling it a wonderful display of willingness to help.

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But then I started worrying about, does he have his medication? Does he have his hearing aids?