A quick note and photos from SDA reader “Ron from Kelowna”, who remains a safe distance from the fires and advises “We’re ok right here. Forests very dry. Fires are about 3 miles from us. The problem yesterday was the wind. Today so far is calm. Divide the “news” reports by an order of magnitude !!”
Mount Boucherie looking SW
Still, for those with property closer to the fires, I’m sure it’s an uneasy time.
Good luck Ron. I hope the winds allow the firefighters to gain control.
Syncro
The best of luck to everyone out there, and I hope it doesn’t do any more damage; on an unrelated note, I tripped across this post showing the sorts of “stimulus” that Obama’s porkulus bill has been funding; $1.1 MILLION DOLLARS to an LA meatpacker for slicing up 2 pounds of hame. This is the sort of thing that makes Chretien’s thievery pale in comparison. http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/07/2-pounds-of-frozen-ham-in-stimulus-bill.html
Bes of luck,Ron! As to the “news” report from CTVTass, when they say “about 17,000 evacuated”,we all know 1,000 is close enough for the scaremongers.
Hope to hear of some more cooperative weather out west soon…
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca isn’t offering much good news for the region.
good luck out there Ron.
Wind means everything – so far today, calm.
As far as I know only 3 houses have been lost. A real tragedy for them, especially when one does not have time to collect personal items – photos, harddrives, ect.
There have been no significant fires here since 2003.
Forests tend to do this sorta thing.
Rains make the fuel grow.
During inevitable dry years, lightening and Nutcases light it up.
Forests then rejuvenate with new growth (fuel)
Repeat.
Hey Ron from Kelowna, stay safe!
Listen to me Ron, even if your area is wasted by wildfire, you are still better off than living east of Saskatchewan!
Mantoba is a shit hole fo ND’s, Ontraio is another shithole of McGuinty Liberals and Toronto is a cesspool of Miller (commies and multicults all with their own flags) McGuinty mush Libs, and Nd’s.
(Same breed of cat).
Some of us are too old and decrepit to move west, but let it be known, that even if you are burned out, house and home, you still have more hope in this life ( burned out) in this country than we in Ontario have, currently in our overtaxed leftist entitlement country.
All the best in Kelowna. FYI, Ron, a few people I would like to meet out west, before I depart this plane of conciousness,-:-Kate McMillan, Lorne Gunter, Marc Emery, Jema 54, Liz J ( Liz J maintains to have a four leafed clover patch like I do) and you in Kelowna, Ron. Great country, Ron.
I used to live about half mile from the site of the fire. I’m pretty sure that the area is evacuated. Unlike the fire a few years ago there is not a whole lot of room for it to move unless it get down to the waters edge (ie manages to burn downhill- something that won’t happen unless there is a strong breeze blowing due west) and then moves north up into the Indian reservation on onto boucherie mountain and area (straight towards the point where the pictures above were taken). It could happen, but pretty unlikely. It if did there are at least a thousand homes that could go up with those on the reserve most likely as there are lots of standing pines there whereas much of the non-reserve land has been planted in orchard and vineyard.
I read and enjoy all the sda articles and comments; however, I do not comment. This story hits close to home. Twice in a two week period, I awoke to the smell of smoke in Kamloops and the sound of b52 bombers and helicopters flying over my property. I could see the flames of a fire in a neighboring subdivision. The first one was scary enough, I got in my car and drove down the mountain, b4 access was blocked for a better look, I noted 2 young kids on a dirt bike leaving the area via a remote road – one of the riders was missing a Helmut. Turns out a Helmut was found at the first fire. The second fire was extremely close. My house filled with smoke and my deck turned glow orange. I could see the flames a couple of blocks away. My daughter, spouse and son and I scurried as fast as we could loading our vehicles with hard drives, pics, jewelery, and documents. Our neighbor’s parents were visiting from SK, and they were loading up too. Access to our community was blocked and so the only exit route was through a poorly kept back dirt road. The strange thing is we were not told to evacuate even though we could see the flames encroaching upon us. The subdivision directly below us was formerly evacuated. However, the winds changed and the flames headed straight for us and even though there were cops and emergency services everywhere, no one knocked on our door. It was chaos. I was thinking this is too strange twice in a short period of time. Turns out it was arsonists. One plane flew so close to the roof of my home we could see the pilot, whichtipped his wing upon seeing us, which I learned later means, get out or stay clear of immenent dump of chemicals to douse fire. All this took place within a half hour. Very very scary. I know have everything that is important ready to go. We cut down all the pine beetle dead trees on our 1/2 acre property, and as a coutesy, cut down our nieghbors pine beetle trees who later thanked us. One of the arsonists was caught. One can not imagine how frightening this is. You wake up and basically are scrambling to get any important belongings out of your home while dousing your new roof and grounds with water. Since our home was located direct accross from the intersection of the new subdivision, vehicles were continualy using our driveway to turn around in. Had we needed to leave, we would have had to wait for a long string of trafic for an opening. Plus the fire hydrant for our area is located next to our mailbox and emergency vehicles were blocking our driveway. Thankfully, the crew, which included fire jumpers, were able to get the blaze under control.
I have some great pics from these fires, but do not know how to post them.
What Joe Molnar said.
Joe Molnar:
Kate is definitely on my list for “people I want to buy lunch for”.
on2u, very good to hear from you.
I live in very different circumstances and can hardly imagine having to evacuate decades’ worth of our lives for a natural tragedy. I’m very glad to hear that this was averted for you.
Many blessings to all of you out there.
on2u….hope you guys/gals make out okay.Not be picking,but those are DC4s doing the water bombing.And in case anybody is wondering why the water/chemicals appear red,that is the fertilizer in it,to help the flora come back quicker.
Thanks lookout.
I apologize for my spelling errors! know should be now – I am slightly dyslexic, but have an excellent memory which makes up for this deficit.
I am praying for those in Kelowna, sounds like the situation is getting worse. We had serious fires here too in 2004, same year as Kelowna’s fire which resulted in homes being destroyed. practically the whole town of Barrie-next was destroyed – located next door to Kamloops. We were evacuated from our place of employment during this fire due to serious smoke entering the premises – right in the heart of the city of Kamloops.
justthinkin, on2u The planes being used at this time are from Conair (based out of Abbotsford) and Airspray (based out of Red Deer/Penhold). CV 580 Convairs, Turbo Firecats, AT802’s for Conair and L188 Electras from Airspray. None of the planes scoop off the water, all reload at tanker bases with retardant. I am in Penticton, my hubby works for Conair as an engineer. Everyone they are working hard and flying lots on the fires around Kelowna, doing the best they can to help contain them. Anyone wondering where the Martin Mars is, it’s in California, on contract for 5 months as it was last season. Thinking of everyone who has been affected by these fires and hoping for minimal loss of property and no loss of life.
sorry – poster name above was supposed to be long time reader first time *poster* – always nervous the first time lol
welcome ltrftp: VERY good to have you on board!
Now, you won’t be nervous any more, and, yes, we all hope (and pray) for the best outcome re property and life.
I lived in Kelowna when I was little boy back in the 60’s. My uncle had a mushroom farm in West Bank when West Bank was really small – no strip malls or subdivisions. I still have lots of relatives and friends in the area. My heart goes out to all who are in danger of loss.
Unfortunately forest fires are part of nature and are part of the cycle required to keep forest healthy. For years in BC we have put out forest fires as fast as possible wanting to preserve the asset as well as life and property. For fire prevention foresters have cleared underbrush and lit controlled burns (which sometimes get out of control). I wonder if this will be enough to prevent these recurring disasters as people build subdivisions further into the woods?
Well, I really should turn on my radio once in a while. I didn’t even know this was happening. Don’t have a TV cause it’s not worth the price. Fingers crossed for Kelownans.
So far so good. Sitting on deck having a beer and BBQ. Still Calm – us too !! Tankers and long line choppers pouring it on.
Seems strange that, with no lightening, 4 fires started in a 30 or so mile radius within a few hours.
Others are risking their lives and working hard to contain the damage and tragedy. But sorry, am not supposed to discriminate, ya know. Society is to blame and man should not even be here.
Gord Tulk’s comments are very pertinent and accurate, thx.
Ron, I’m working at Predator Ridge right now, should be thick with smoke by tomorrow morning. Thought maybe you’d been evacuated, glad to hear you’re safe.
Can see the smoke from here in Coldstream, coming from the Mt Terrace fire, by Fintry. That ones just burning, as there is no one in its path.
Heard there would be a few fires this year. A lot of loggers out of work.
ltrftp….right you are. I just got a glimpse of the Electra,but should have known,seeing as I was once on Auroras in the Airforce! Blush
Hope and pray that the firefighters are able to get these under control. All the best to all living there. We drove along highway 5 two years ago after the fire in that area and it does not look pretty.
I’m in Peachland and the connector (97C) is still closed, tons of smoke for most of the day, there’s still helicopters and water bombers flying. Anyone that has to get around can take Chute Lake road, it’s a logging road. Washboard, skinny and very dusty…with logging trucks!
Dmorris, Years ago when my swing was better I used to golf at predator ridge regularly.
My favorite course of all. Got treated like royalty.
Hoping for the best for everyone in Kelowna.
If there’s anyone in the area that is stuck I have space for tents, RV’s etc. Got a big yard front and back on beach avenue. Not braggin’ just statin’ the facts.
…Peachland and points south only
My son’s best friend lost his home.
…does he need a place to stay? I can put him up.
We have two Glen Canyon evacuees here. Think their house is ok.
Rose Valley fire directly across the lake from The Grand Casino seems to be less threatening now.
Tomorrow may be a little windier.
L – Shitty…I heard there are places in Kelowna putting up persons for free. Will try to find out more.
I was playing bridge on the internet when they had a biggie in California. I wasn’t aware of any problem until my partner, a Californian, mentioned that this would have to be his last hand as he had just heard over the radio that a fire “in control” was now “out-of-control” and it was going like hell at the end of his street. I like partners where nothing, but nothing, fazes them.
CTV keeps calling it “West Kelowna” – did Westbank change their name? I seem to recall hearing something about that a while ago.
Apparently, if you call your nearest school, church, or community center, there is a list of persons who are willing to host those in need.
Yes, residents voted in November 2008 to change name from Westbank to West Kelowna.
Ron
We were in Kelowna for the Valley of Champions tournament this weekend, visiting friends in the Quail Ridge subdivision, lounging in the pool as much as possible.
I made the same comment as you to my host. He took me down to his yard, and we walked around until he picked up a cold, burned ember, and said they were falling late yesterday. No wonder these fires spread the way they do with the immense updrafts and prevailing winds. The distance was around 15km. And it was windy as hell on the Mission fields Saturday night.
Yes, our boys won their games that day, they needed to break a horribly long losing streak. The team they beat last? Westside…….life isn’t fair sometimes…..
Glad to be home!