Wildfires

[Melody]

A more common problem and getting worse. We have some nasty ones going here in BC (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/20/world/main5173808.shtml), with more than 17,000 people being evacuated. Temp's in Kelowna are supposed to top 36c over the next few days, 30c+ here... and we need rain.

I hope everyone and their fish stay safe! If there's something we can do to help either now or when you have to pick up the pieces, please let us know. We're a pretty tight community and we enjoy the company of many good people.

Unfortunately, this could happen anywhere. If you would like to be prepared, the government has a good collection of information for you about Wildfires in Canada (http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/knw/ris/wldf-eng.aspx) and many other emergencies too.

[Melody]

BC Wildfires

The latest news (http://www.theprovince.com/news/West+Kelowna+fires+devastate+prominent+local+famil y/1810350/story.html) from The Province newspaper.

http://www.kelowna.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/090718-WK-fire-111-550x362.jpg
Photo: Kelowna.com

To lend a hand:

The Canadian Red Cross - Financial donations in support of the West Kelowna Fire Response can be made to the “BC Fire Fund” online at RedCross.ca (http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=32335&tid=079), by calling 1-800-418-1111, or at your local Red Cross office. Please make your cheque or money order to "The Canadian Red Cross" and identify on the cheque or money order that it is for the: “BC Fire Fund."

Kelowna Gospel Mission (http://www.kelownagospelmission.ca) - They'll be looking for clothing, toys, etc., and anything left over would help the homeless.

Telus is providing basic Toiletries and needs more. They're accepting cash donations or new toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deoderant, shampoo & other toiletries. There will be collection points throughout the Lower Mainland. Phone 1-866-697-8184 or 604-697-8184 for instructions. Below is a list of places where you can drop off donations of money and toiletries only for victims of the B.C. wildfires. (Cheques can be made out to TELUS Community Ambassadors):

TELUS House Vancouver
555 Robson Street
Vancouver

TELUS House Burnaby
4519 Canada Way
Burnaby

Brian Canfield Center
3777 Kingsway Ave
Burnaby

Burnaby Business Center
1795 Willingdon Ave
Burnaby

Abbotsford Plant Center
1648 Salton Road
Abbotsford

TELUS Kelowna
2002 Enterprise Way
Kelowna

Andre's Mobility Dealership
Orchard Park Mall
Kelowna

The SPCA is SWAMPED with animal rescues. If you can help out with time, cash or supplies (litter, cat carriers, hay, etc.), I'm sure they'd appreciate it. They are rescuing everything from companion animals to cattle, plus providing temporary shelter for drop-offs. The SPCA is asking those who can help the rescued animals to visit spca.bc.ca (http://www.spca.bc.ca/) or call 1-800-665-1868 to make a donation.

The Salvation Army has been serving thousands of meals to both residents and emergency crews. To help them visit www.salvationarmy.ca/bcfires (http://www.salvationarmy.ca/bcfires) or phone 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

[CACAdmin]

This is such a horrific thing for people to go through. Thankfully, there has been no loss of life but homes having been lost can you imagine what the evacuees are going through wondering if their home is next. Even if their homes are spared, in the interim, they have no idea when they'll be able to go home.

Although lightening strikes do cause fires every year, the sad part in all this is that it appears that all these fires were caused by humans. :frown:

I'm sure any of you in the area, even if you or your home are not in immediate danger, must be worried about the potential danger to yourselves, your friends and families and so are affected in some way. Our thoughts are with you as you go through this ordeal.

[Melody]

Thankfully, there has been no loss of life


No loss of human life. :frown:

Bless those fire fighters - they get way too close and risk their lives to get these fires under control. I look at that picture and almost panic for them, it's amazing that they can even keep a level head in those situations.

[Pamelajo]

I was reading about the fire last night, hoping none of our members live near there. It is scarey. Hats off to the fire fighters for keeping people safe, hope they also stay safe.

[Melody]

We have a few in the area(s). My area is hitting the thirties by the end of the week and there's no sign of rain.

I've added to the list of places to help. Also, commuters in Metro Vancouver can donate at various transit points this morning. Tonight at the HSBC Celebration of Light (http://celebration-of-light.com/event-information/), SkyTrain employees will be collecting donations.

If there are wildfires and people in need anywhere across Canada, please feel free to post local information.

Somebody do a rain dance. :frown:

[Pamelajo]

I can try and send our weather. We have had cooler weather, rain yesterday and is supposed to rain again today.

[Melody]

I think this weather usually hits you in August doesn't it? I know it can be sweltering in Ontario at times, especially in the really smoggy (is that a word? lol) areas. So sure, we'll trade now and then trade back again when it hits you guys. :ShakeHands:

[Pamelajo]

We are having a really weird weather year. July and August usually sweltering and yes smoggy. In August though the nights are cooling off. We had a few sweltering days, but not many.

[CACAdmin]

While 11,000 residents gradually returned home in the past 2 days, there is still one fire raging in the area and another 2,200 people have been ordered to evacuate.

And to make matters worse, "Environment Canada was forecasting wind gusts up to 80 km/h on Thursday and Friday as thunderstorms pass through the region, raising concerns lightning strikes could spark more forest fires."

Story here (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/07/23/bc-terrace-mountian-fire-grows.html).

For those of you who are not familiar with BC's Okanagan Valley, it's a semi-desert region and thus thunderstorms often don't bring rain (or any measurable amount, just dangerous lightening.)

[Pamelajo]

I hope things do not get any worse. We are still getting rain off and on. Hope it heads that way.

[Melody]

I've got several bags of toiletries with a focus on feminine requirements that most probably won't think of. We're also hitting the dollar store for those little activity books and crayons to keep bored kids busy, so there's another idea if anyone is looking for something to contribute. The birthday party supplies often have 6 in a package and the colouring books are 2/$1.00.

I think I'll involve the neighbourhood teens in a bottle drive of sorts. I just have to track down a neighbour with a truck. Teens love this stuff, I find, they have a huge amount of energy and enthusiasm to dedicate to projects. And the ideas! They're so creative and they don't let the work involved deter them. We hear about the bad ones but there's still a lot of really good kids out there. :yes:

Then we just need to pick up some cat food and we're done for now.

[Soggybottom]

I'm pretty sure the fires around Kelowna are all but out now. Last one is 50% contained. Sky is clearer today than the last few days. We have had some pretty crazy thunderstorms the last 72 hrs, so kudos to the quick response teams that none of those fires got out of control, some of them were right in town.

Unfortunately it would seem that the original fires were human caused, and quite possibly deliberately set. And 10 evacuated houses were looted last week. On a better note however, the support centers apparently had more volunteer helpers than victims requiring assistance :)

The last news is a water bomber went down in the lake, pilot got out with minor injuries and was rescued by a couple of wakeboard boats. Been an interesting week!

[CACAdmin]

Thanks for the update, SB. Glad to hear it looks like they are getting a handle on things and that the pilot of that water bomber got out ok.

[Melody]

Mr. SB, get your soggy bottom into Vancouver would you? That is one dangerous area at the moment.

Video report here (http://www.canada.com/news/Thousands+flee+wildfires+ravage/1855847/story.html).

Stay safe!

[Pamelajo]

700 fires!!!!

[Melody]

My Sister tells me they're even showing it on the news in New Brunswick every night. So much nature lost, it's very sad.

What annoys me is when towns are evacuated and some people refuse to leave. I understand there's looters and whatnot, but those firefighters are going to have to risk their neck to get you out if you don't leave when you're told to and the town starts to burn. That's a little more important than possessions. Even if it doesn't come to that, they have enough to worry about. I think they should be able to arrest people who refuse to leave.

Anyways, the cooler weather will help and we're finally expecting some rain. I'm virtually surrounded by them now, though not in immediate danger by comparison to those poor people. It's all cement and pavement in the major centers so I'm not too concerned. I did smell smoke for the first time this morning - even that is unnerving.

[Melody]

We've had more rain in the last two days than we've had in the past month. It poured hard yesterday for a bit and it was a welcome sound.

I don't know if I'll still feel like that when it's been cold and rainy all week though :wideeyed: ... but in less selfish moments, I'm glad it's here.

[CACAdmin]

It's supposed to get hot again next week, so let's enjoy this while we can. Hopefully, the rain helped with the battle of the forest fires.