The Ongoing Wildfire Thread

[greyshep]

Seeing all this makes me wonder how things would go in Calgary if a fire started in Fish Creek park. I think of all the communities that border that park and its a scary thought. Hopefully local fire fighting efforts would be able to get on top of it quick but seeing all these events makes me think that could be a bad assumption.

[Whynotnow]

Originally Posted by greyshep

Seeing all this makes me wonder how things would go in Calgary if a fire started in Fish Creek park. I think of all the communities that border that park and its a scary thought. Hopefully local fire fighting efforts would be able to get on top of it quick but seeing all these events makes me think that could be a bad assumption.

There has to be areas of Canmore that would be at incredible risk I would think

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Whynotnow

There has to be areas of Canmore that would be at incredible risk I would think

Canmore does get quite a bit more rain than anything in the Okanagan. The lakes and farms in the area hide the fact that it's still a semi-desert climate, much drier than most of Alberta

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

August 4th also has a episode ending Canada's unending fires. A very sobering listen.

I listened to it and it was a fantastic episode. Very informative, very concerning. I think the premier of Alberta and other conservative MPs need to hear what boots on the ground people like David Wallace-Wells and those with actual firefighting experience have to say on this growing disaster.

[blender]

It is historically dry in interior BC right now, like it has not been drier in history. You can see it and feel it when you walk around outside.
The risk is extreme.
I appreciate the natural impulse to consider the potential of something similar happening to Calgary or Canmore, but neither of those places has ever been as dry as interior BC is now, so as mentioned previously, not really comparable.

Right now there is a massive fire less than 30km from my door and it's been burning for weeks. The only thing preventing it from running into town is which way the wind is blowing.
Hoping for positive outcomes tomorrow.

[Whynotnow]

Originally Posted by blender

It is historically dry in interior BC right now, like it has not been drier in history. You can see it and feel it when you walk around outside.
The risk is extreme.
I appreciate the natural impulse to consider the potential of something similar happening to Calgary or Canmore, but neither of those places has ever been as dry as interior BC is now, so as mentioned previously, not really comparable.

Right now there is a massive fire less than 30km from my door and it's been burning for weeks. The only thing preventing it from running into town is which way the wind is blowing.
Hoping for positive outcomes tomorrow.

Thanks for the additional context, stay safe and hope it all works out for you.

[FlamesAddiction]

For map junkies, this is a pretty good interactive map that shows the fires burning across Canada and the U.S. You can click on the fires to get fairly up to date information about the fire.

https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov...-100.0,40.0,4z

There more than 5,000 fires burning across Canada. Most of them are just monitored and allowed to burn. it is literally impossible to fight most of them because of the amount of resources required. Some of them in remote areas have been burning since spring.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

That fire on the highway by Chase didn't look good. I wonder if Talking Rock will make it out? They had that building fire a couple years ago too.

Sounds like Talking Rock is gone. Scotch Creek is partially gone. Celista lost the school and most of the apartments. The gas station at the turnoff to Talking Rock is gone (see picture). The amount of structures, homes, and vacation properties gone is staggering right now. Already the worst loss in Shuswap history by a lot

[DAN0383]

I have to get back to Calgary from Kamloops tomorrow... I'm guessing the 1 won't be an option.

[Whynotnow]

Originally Posted by DAN0383

I have to get back to Calgary from Kamloops tomorrow... I'm guessing the 1 won't be an option.

Doesn’t sound like it unless you want the long route through Jasper

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by DAN0383

I have to get back to Calgary from Kamloops tomorrow... I'm guessing the 1 won't be an option.

We came back from Salmon Arm today after evacuating the Kelowna fire last night.

Perhaps something along the 97 route could be south of Adams wildfire and North of MacDougall

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by redforever

How did you get evacuees? I have room for either 2 couples or 1 family and have had no success trying to get my name and address to someone.

Hey, sorry I just saw your pm but figured I'd reply here as well in case others have the same question

Right now we're saying there is no need for private billets, CEMA is prepared to arrange for thousands of hotel rooms if needed, right now I think we're at roughly 700 but plans are for 2000+ if needed. If you know of anyone that needs to utilize these resources there are reception areas set up both at the airport itself, as well as the Westin Airport hotel. There's space for pets as well. Any questions people can also call 211

If any of that changes I'll be sure to pass on any info I hear

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Sounds like Talking Rock is gone. Scotch Creek is partially gone. Celista lost the school and most of the apartments. The gas station at the turnoff to Talking Rock is gone (see picture). The amount of structures, homes, and vacation properties gone is staggering right now. Already the worst loss in Shuswap history by a lot

Just destroyed the area out there. That sucks.

[Fuzz]

It's gotten a lot worse since that screenshot. Note the TCH...

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

The Kelowna FIRMS map looks frightening too.

East side of the lake around Clifton estates had a cloud of red. Doesn't look like just a little spot fire if that mapping system is correct.

[EverfresH15]

There are now 300 firefighters working to protect Sorrento.

[Street Pharmacist]

There are hundreds and hundreds of houses around the Shuswap there, if not thousands. Then there's full fledged towns like Scotch Creek and celista with a pharmacy, hardware store grocery stores, restaurants, art galleries, etc. All gone. Then you have dozens of campsites with hundreds of permanent RV lots. I've nott been to the First Nations in Squilax but it looks to be all last dozens of homes. All gone. It's truly insane how much property was gone that quickly

None of that area was thought to be impacted by the Adams Lake fire earlier. As recently as yesterday afternoon most of that area wasn't even on alert and cell service can be spotty. I really hope there's no loss of life


Edit: while all that stuff is in the fire spots on the map, some pictures have emerged with lots of structures somehow still untouched. Hardware store for example the lumber is all gone but the structure is still there. Some drug restaurants standing amidst charred trees. Amazing

[Fuzz]

Ya, definitely don't take the hot spots map as an indication something burned. It's lower resolution data and more of a "fire in the area" indicator.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Just called my cousin who's houseboating on Shuswap right now.
He said the area of the lake they're on is still ok and operating, but surrounded by poor, smokey air.
Seemed odd to me they're still be operational looking at these maps but I guess it's a big lake.

[blender]

Originally Posted by DAN0383

I have to get back to Calgary from Kamloops tomorrow... I'm guessing the 1 won't be an option.

Upper Arrow lakes ferry is running 24 hrs apparently.
Also, last night I know people who bypassed the closure of hwy 1 via 97 and Armstrong. Check drive BC