Aug 06, 2021
The promise of the day soon changed
What a great view to wake up to. We haven’t seen those mountains for a few weeks. There was so much promise to the day.
A few hours later some clouds came in as did strong winds with gusts up to 46km/h. The wind was so strong that it knocked a few cutsies off their perches. I closed the windows and turned on the A/C . We had white caps for a while. Still great to see blue sky.
Early afternoon I noticed from the street side of the house ( north towards Vernon ) smoke. This is from the White Rock Lake fire now moving closer to Vernon, a city with a population close to 70K. This is the same fire that destroyed a good part of Monte Lake last night. We drove through that area in the RV on July 8th the first day of our vacation. Such a beautiful area to be in, I often think of those who live here and how fortunate they are.
The wind is moving the fire quickly.
Taken just a few minutes later.
“Large fires like the White Rock Lake wildfire often create their own weather patterns. Sometimes with that comes an increase in debris being cast across a significant distance. Sometimes that debris can be large enough and hot enough to create an ember fire,” said Vernon fire chief David Lind.
To the left of Okanagan Lake ( area B ) is where the file is burning out of control. Okanagan Lake is very wide but based on what I added above from the Vernon Fire Chief, they ordered this evacuation alert ( not yet an order ).
The smoke was swirling directly overhead. All I could say was wow!! This is not a B & W photo.
Bottom left you can see the fire burning in a patch of sun. To the right of the bottom middle tree yo can see dark smoke, all the while sending smoke everywhere. Vernon is 16 miles / 26 km away, from us, a nonstop 20-25 minute drive. Not to worry, we are very safe – well so far.
This was now the view from our patio. The smoke was moving in a circle.
View of Vernon from Kelowna, late afternoon today. Taken by Micah McKerlich.
Facing east about 15 minutes ago.
Facing south.
I myself am amazed. The round white in the sky surrounded by pink is the sun.
Can you make out the swirl of smoke between the flags and the tree? Mother Nature was the creator of all these colours.
The smell of smoke is strong. Facing south yet again, this was taken only 12 minutes later than the photo three up. Less than 15 minutes to cover the mountains with smoke!
What will we wake up to in the morning? Such a difference from the first photo on this post. I should also mention that we were hit with more Covid restrictions today. I read today that the fires may continue till winter 🙁 Hope you had a better day then we did. I was delayed in posting as I watched all the changes happening around us. It is now 9:10pm and I can’t see anything.
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I feel so bad for the people who are effected by these fires and have to evacuate. I guess we cannot complain about the smoke in our area. Might have to head east instead of west for our getaway next month. Take care!
Sorry that you are still having so much smoke. Yes you might have to come up with a Plan B. Here you would just be having to sit inside. You may have to rethink your December cruise.
Contessa, your photos are amazing! Truly shows the power of Mother Nature, We have friends in Monty that have lost their house and animals, so extremely sad as we have experienced this kind of loss recently ourselves. Please my friend stay safe. Love to you and Colin and the girls we will be praying it doesn’t turn your way ??
Thank you, yes Mother Nature is powerful. So very sorry about your friends and their huge losses. We are safe, the fires that are burning are far enough away, but that could change so I won’t say no to your prayers.
Amazing pictures to illustrate this sad story! We had a few days of light smoke but are back into the thick of it again and it is heavier along Westside Road than it is up by the highway.
I have to say I was amazed at those photos. I think about you both every day and worry about the fire being so close.
Oh, it just doesn’t stop, does it. On and on it goes. Very glad you had a brief reprieve with some blue sky…..here’s wishing you the best and more blue skies.
We seem to be going up and down but just having a bit of blue sky and almost fresh air helped lift my spirits.