Jul 15, 2017
What a stressful & emotional day!
Despite having the A/C on, all I can smell is smoke. A thick fog of smoke is hanging over our home. The wisps of smoke are invading our home.
Our day started with a lovely clear sky complete with a hot air balloon. The snow is finally gone up in the highest hill.
It was lovely so see the lady with feathers on her hat out on the lake. I think her husband must have died last year. They used to be out almost every morning. Perhaps that is her daughter with her. So peaceful.
This was the forecast last evening. It was too depressing to do a post. However in reality today has become even more distressing.
After a few local errands we headed into Kelowna to do some hands on research on a cell phone I might be getting. As we rounded the corner on the highway we saw the smoke. It appeared to be rather close to our home. In fact it is about 10 kms driving distance but closer as the crow flies. About an hour earlier we had been in that very area purchasing cherries from an orchard.
As we neared home it appeared to get worse.
This was taken just as we entered the gates to our park. That is the bird dog aircraft in the upper left and a bomber mid photo, just as he dove into the fire to release his retardant.
The winds were strong at this point. I took this from inside our home. Sadly we had a good view.
The fire kept getting stronger. All we could hear were the sirens of many many fire trucks from miles around as they made their way to come help.
This is all we know about how the fire started. When we were in Kelowna we exclaimed how hot the wind was, like a hot blast of air from a furnace.
This website is about the only place to get updates and is soon crashed. We were and still are very concerned as our vet lives in the area, as does the owner of this park ( perhaps within a few blocks ) and a few other local people that we know.
It was rather emotional to be a part of this, even from a good distance. So many problems this spring. Colin and I vowed that tomorrow we would make a list of urgent items that need to be packed. We also have made a place to put these items so they can be carried out at a moments notice. Thank goodness we got the RV out a few weeks ago. Colin started a list a few hours ago and I have to tell you that I teared up when I read that one of the items was the paw prints I had done of the girls last summer 😥
Meanwhile about 6PM today they began the evacuation of 10,00 people from Williams Lake. There was another town evacuated last night and another this afternoon. I have lost count but likely it could be close to 20,000 evacuated but likely much more.
The wind was beginning to ease. This is the only photo we have seen that depicts a burning structure.
Just as the sun was setting this appeared. Likely some structure or vehicle.
By now the planes have stopped and there are only the local firefighters left on site.
I believe that this will be that last report we get tonight.
The actual day that we took possession of our lot here in the park in the summer of 2003, we had to evacuate due to a massive fire that was racing through the hills just opposite this park. 239 homes were destroyed. Meanwhile tonight at 10:20PM it is close to dark but I can still see the smoke wafting up. And the smell of heavy putrid smoke continues to invade our home. My heart goes out to all those affected by the fire, not just those here in our area of Lake Country but all across this vast wonderful and beautiful Province of B.C. I have no more words to describe the devastation we are dealing with.
…and yet another this evening.
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Not really a good area to be in right now, hope things get under control for you guys soon.
I suspect that once this fire is under control another area will be affected. It is that kind of year.
A totally devastating time for many BCers. It might be a good idea to head for the coast where the air is breathable… You guys sure have been beaten up this year, so sorry.
The smoke is better today. Was Venice just a dream?
We have been evacuated. Unable to get any personal things out as we were out of the country. Luckily friends managed to get our truck and camper and our son some uninsured items.More good friends have lent us their summer condo at Harrison Hot Springs so we are safe and away from all the smoke. Floods and fire, British Columbians know what evacuation is all about this year. Thanks to the many people who have contributed money, time and resources to the fire evacuees. We all hope for cooler weather and rain so that we can return to our homes.
Oh Janet I am so very sorry. I do hope that you home is still intact. Thank goodness for good friends. You deserve to be in the lovely spot that you are in.
Many hugs to you all.
We have friends that leave on Darlene St/Rd in Lake Country. Up on the hill which I call Sunburn hill cause it bakes there all day. Hopefully they are ok. This really has been a horrible year for you. Take care and on the coast it is fine.
Your friends are far away from the fire. I am sending you an email with a map.
Wish we had more work on the coast. We could come down and live in our RV….once it is repaired that is.
I just did my post then read yours! So close to home again for you guys. I too am making a list. I actually have a travel drawer for passports/money etc but am using a drawer next to it for our emergency items so that in a pinch we have the list as well as some items gathered up. We too had a small fire but thankfully it was contained in a couple of hours, but right in Comox within 4 km of our house and 2km of the airforce base and airport. Our towns have all volunteer fire fighters so they had put the call out from 4 surrounding areas. I know Courtenay sent one firetruck and 4 volunteers to the interior to fight fires just on Friday. Don’t forget to make the list of all the business related stuff!
We have often been on the same page over the years so to speak but to both have a fire near our homes yesterday and to write similar posts………
I encourage my readers to read her post and to heed some of her suggestions as well as a few I added in my comment.
http://livingrichonthecheap.blogspot.ca/2017/07/the-lost-week.html