Boyle Fire Department not behind poster asking for donations

The Village of Boyle is rallying to support the firefighters that saved the community after a wildfire prompted an evacuation order. CTV News Edmonton's Amanda

The Boyle Fire Department says it isn’t behind a poster asking for donations – but that help is always welcome.

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Boyle Fire Rescue posted on social media Tuesday night, saying neither it nor the Village of Boyle was responsible for a poster asking for donations that was being circulated in the village.

The call for donations came in the aftermath of a wildfire that led to the evacuation of the village earlier this month.

Boyle Mayor Colin Derko said the response from the community has been wonderful – even before the mysterious call for support.

“Even during the event, we’ve had so many offers – generous offers – of both money and help,” he said.

“Then, after the event, a local member of our community had put out a poster just asking people to be aware of the fact that the fire department was out and our volunteers were working.”

While the poster said money was needed to replace equipment “destroyed” by the fire, Derko said that isn’t quite the case.

Equipment like hoses do need to be replaced after fire events, but those are covered by the county. The donations from the community are used instead for other essential items like safety equipment or to put toward new fire trucks.

“Our volunteers work really hard and literally put their lives on the line,” Derko said. “They’re out doing emergencies, not just fires … the actual donations have been amazing and very much appreciated.”

The Village of Boyle is 125 kilometres north of Edmonton.