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SALT LAKE CITY — It's been a long, hard fire season for much of the state of Utah, but throughout all the fires and evacuations, the kindness of community members has stood out as a bright source of hope.
If you need a little good news to start your week off on the right foot, we have a couple of stories of the good deeds done by Utahns this fire season. Read the stories below and feel free to submit your own stories of positivity to be featured in the KSL.com "Make Your Week" column.
This column features stories of kindness sent in from people outside the newsroom. To share the stories that have uplifted you, email them in 100 words or less to mdalrymple@ksl.com. Photos and videos are encouraged. Stories may be edited for clarity.
Firefighters receive notes of gratitude after weeks of hard work
Payson Fire Rescue
"This morning, Chief Spencer was informed by the Bald Mountain Fire Management team that all Payson Fire resources would be released from the Bald Mountain Fire. Our firefighters are going home to get some much-needed rest.
"Payson Fire has had crews on this fire from midnight Sept. 13 until 6 a.m. Sept. 25. That is 294 hours in a row. Our firefighters have appreciated coming to the firehouse to change out crews and seeing all the hand-made thank-you notes.
"These are read and we just want to say thank you to our community for assisting and supporting our department as we served your safety needs."
Firefighters care for kittens left behind after evacuation
Blu R.
"I'm a therapist and program director at Mountain Peak Recovery, located in the Pole Creek fire zone in Thistle, Utah. We are a residential treatment center for adults battling addiction. Last Thursday, we were asked to evacuate, which was trying enough on our clients who view our facility as a refuge and safe haven. In the hustle, we forgot our kittens who usually sleep in our barn.
"We were so glad to see on our security camera system Hot Shot firefighters taking such good care of them. Playing, holding and feeding them. It’s brought warmth to our hearts, gratitude in the situation and comfort to the clients who have been worrying about them. Tender mercies from the firefighters who didn't realize they were on camera but were very, very thoughtful in their actions."
