A man loses his home to a forest fire
Photo: Contributed
“Off the grid” Les Mursza’s Green Mountain home burned down in the Keremeos Creek wildfire.
A GoFundMe has been set up for a man who lost his home in the Keremeos Creek wildfire.
Friends organized a fundraiser for Les Mursza, who lived off the grid in a remote location.
“He evacuated with only the clothes on his back, leaving behind even his cat, which is believed to have perished in the fire.”
“Due to the unique and remote location of his home, Les was unable to insure either the structure or the contents. The devastating fire has left him with nothing. We’re raising money to help him get his life back on track,” Christy Reding wrote.
Mursa grew up in Kelowna and moved to the Green Mountain area 12 years ago. He worked at Twin Lakes Market.
“Everyone knew Les in the community because he is so kind, friendly and easygoing. It is important that we come together to help our friend at this terribly difficult time,” adds Redding.
She notes that while Mursza is in contact with government officials for support, this money will only be enough for the short term. He currently lives in a hotel in Keremeos.
The money raised through the GoFundMe will be used to help him find and furnish a place to rent, as well as buy clothes, household items and food. His long-term goal is to restore his property and build a new, simple house. Even that will be expensive, Redding says, given inflation and the construction shortage.
The British Columbia Wildfire Service has confirmed that one structure has been destroyed by the Keremeos Creek wildfire, and several other homes and properties are under evacuation orders and evacuation warnings.
Photo: Contributed
Les Mursa, who grew up in Kelowna, lost his remote home in the Keremeos Creek wildfire.
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