Wildfires Out of Control

The last few days have been smokey around here and ashes falling from the sky, getting all over everything. There is a huge fire in this area, about 45 minute drive from my house, though as the crow flies, it's not very far. Today the radio was saying that the fire had doubled in size over night and was 4000 hectares, that was this morning and we've had wind so I am sure it has gotten larger since then. We did have some rain this afternoon into evening, something we desperately need, though I'm don't think it's enough to help with the fires. Our province is extremely dry and unless the weather goes to very wet very soon (not likely) we are in for a very bad summer. 2003 was bad for forest fires and the worst of them were in late August, into September. This year they are that bad already. Today there were 2200 people evacuated from their homes at this one fire alone. I think a root canal at a Plano Dentist would be better than being evacuated for a forest fire ripping through your back yard. Not knowing if your home will be there or not when you return. You can only take so many belongings. On the radio I heard someone asking for help finding a foster home for their cattle to be evacuated to. I phoned in to give my name & number, volunteering to take in birds & other caged animals that might need care during the evacuation. So far no one has called, but I figure if anyone has such critters they may need a safe home for the duration.

Yesterday, just before 5pm, I noticed the sun was incredibly beautiful. Shining through the smoke, it was a big ball of the most incredible bright red/pink color!! I grabbed my camera and took some shots, but unfortunately it didn't capture the beauty that was there. Here are 2 photos showing at least a little bit of that color, though the camera mostly cut through the color to the sun.



Today I was coming home and it was almost like driving through fog. Here are a couple shots I took not far from home where you can see how smokey it was just after 2:30 this afternoon.


This is what the Province Newspaper has to say about the Terrace Mountain wildfire and others in our province:

The uncontained and out of control Terrace Mountain wildfire has put thousands more of B.C.’s residents on the move.

The 2,200 residents around the community of Fintry were ordered to leave their homes Thursday morning.

The Terrace Mountain blaze, spurred on by gusting winds, scorching temperatures and tinder-dry forests, covers more than 4,000 hectares and is 20 per cent contained.

Towering eruptions of fire sent a massive column of smoke 2,000 metres into the sky, and a thick, smoky cloud drifted north over the lake to shroud Vernon.

Seven helicopters and 175 firefighters are on scene trying to tame the aggressive fire. Firebombers from Alberta have been called to assist.

The fire's movement into a canyon has made it unsafe for fire personnel to combat the fiery inferno at its head.

Weather conditions could throw a wrench into the firefighting effort during the next 48 hours.

On Thursday afternoon, the area experienced some light rain and scattered thunder and lightening storms.

Local forecasts call for continued thundershowers and winds up to 70 kilometres an hour.

Meanwhile, the fires in West Kelowna’s Glenrosa and Rose Valley are fully contained, but are not completely extinguished.

“We still have quite a few firefighters and helicopters continuing to work on those fires,” said fire information officer Grace Pickell.

Area residents remain on evacuation alert.

- A smaller wildfire about four kilometres southwest of Lillooet might have been sparked by lightening, fire officials said Thursday.

The blaze, which covers about 50 hectares, was reported Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The fire is situated at the top of a slope.

The nearest residences are located at the bottom of the slope, about 1.5 kilometres east of the fire.

And lightening strikes set off a number of other small fires in the Okanagan Thursday, the most notable being one in the hills above Naramata.

Air support and ground crews have been called in for the Naramata fire.

“There were visible flames seen from across the lake in Summerland,” said Penticton fire chief Wayne Williams.

“Here in Penticton, I’m watching out my office and I’m seeing lightening strikes all around us.”

- Evacuated communities are Caesar’s Landing, Ewing’s Landing, Nahun, Valley of the Sun, Muirallen Estates, Estamont, Aspen Shores, Summersands, La Casa, Killiney Beach, Fintry Delta and Fintry Provincial Park and campground Evacuation Alert Westshores, Cinnibar Creek, the cottages at Secret Point, Shelter Cove, Lake Okanagan Resort, Jenny Creek, Wilson’s Landing, Pine Point sub-division, Traders Cove, and Bear Creek Provincial Park.

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