A powerful photo of a group of firefighters holding hands on a roadside is making waves on social media in the South Okanagan.

Jessica Mayhew, a resident in the area, snapped a photo of the crew on Aug. 9 at around 11:30 a.m. off of Tucelnuit Drive in Oliver. The firefighters are with departments from Merritt, Naramata, Big White and Keremeos which are aiding with the ongoing wildfire suppression at Eagle Bluff near Gallagher Lake.

READ MORE: Evacuation alert issued for 250 properties due to Eagle Bluff fire

Mayhew added the photo to a local Facebook group, expressing her thanks to the men and women for risking their lives to keep residents safe.

“I feel silly, but got crazy emotional when we drove by back to moms at Gallagher Lake,” she wrote.

Her sentiment was echoed by the hundreds of people who have since commented, liked and shared the photo.

“Very emotional shot! They are all such heroes,” wrote Anna-Maria Robinson. “We are in the line of the fire now and can hear the planes zooming nearby. I can’t express just how grateful I am to them all.”

“Amazing,” said Amanda Edmuns. “These people are risking their lives to protect complete strangers. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for what you do!”

The fire burning at Eagle Bluff is an estimated 2,680 hectares in size.

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