Alaskan Bush People’s Bear Brown Thanks Firefighters After Family Ranch Is Damaged by Flames

After the family’s ranch was damaged in a fire, Alaskan Bush People star Bear Brown is paying tribute to all the firefighters who helped save people’s lives and homes. While it’s not clear if the fire is still burning, the Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune reported it was at least 84 percent contained as of Sunday, August 30.

“I would like to give a very special thanks to all AWESOME firefighters!!!” Bear, 33, wrote on his Instagram page as he shared a photo of himself with the first responders. “They are true heroes and truly make the world a better place! Without people like them, there wouldn’t be much of a world left! There are fires in so many places around the world; it’s crazy! But everywhere there is a fire, there are also the heroes that fight it!!!! God bless!”

The Discovery Channel star first announced that North Star Ranch, the Brown family’s home in Washington, was affected by Palmer Fire on August 19. He broke the news that the Alaskan Bush People crew “suffered a devastating loss,” though it wasn’t clear yet just how bad the damage was. As the fire continued to rage, he shared regular updates with his followers, promising one fan that he and his kin “won’t give up” on their home.

On August 23, Bear was joined by siblings Noah Brown and Rain Brown as they shared that the family had evacuated the mountain safely, and no one was hurt during the disaster. He also revealed that he was staying at a hotel in Oroville, Washington, for at least a few days as he leaned on friends amid the “tough times.” He claimed the family had “lost a lot,” but asked the show’s fans to think about the more vulnerable people affected by the fire instead.

“I would like to wish everybody well that has lost from the fire! My family and I have lost a lot, but we are not the only ones!” he wrote on August 25. “Many people have lost [their] homes and [their] livelihood! Please, everyone reach out to those in need with helping hands! My family doesn’t need any help, but a lot of other families [affected] by the fire do! It’s tragic how many homes have been lost! But to those who have lost, my heart goes out to you all! Stay strong! It’s always darkest before the dawn, and God bless you all!!!”