Canfor received help from Bill and Shirley Bond this morning – photos courtesy Canfor

Prince George, B.C. – Canfor served up a hearty breakfast for Cariboo residents displaced by wildfires at the College of New Caledonia this morning.

“We had pancakes, sausages, eggs, bacon, hash browns, coffee, water and a whole bunch of fruit,” says Peter Baird, Canfor’s general manager of forest planning. “We operated inside CNC’s kitchen and utilized their cafeteria facilities.”

He notes the forestry giant had originally planned to host a community breakfast to celebrate J.D. Little Forest Centre Nursery’s 35^th anniversary today but says they decided to change their plans.

Canfor employees take a breather after serving up breakfast this morning (Peter Baird in red)

“We just didn’t think it was appropriate to be holding a celebration while all this other stuff was going on,” says Baird. “So, we thought why not postpone that to a later date and redirect the resources and the catering and the food and stuff we had to help out the evacuees here at CNC.”

He says they had enough food to feed 700 people and said the excess fare would be donated elsewhere or used at a later date.

Baird adds the feedback from evacuees was “extremely positive” this morning.

“I can’t believe how upbeat the people are. How grateful they are, how positive and cheerful they are,” he says, adding they’re just “glad to help out.”

“Obviously our hearts go out to the people in this situation and we’re just happy to contribute a small little bit to make their stay in Prince George as pleasant as it can be.”