The Ongoing Wildfire Thread

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Any rain in Kelowna today?

nope


we might get "rain" tomorrow and wednesday - which could bring lightning. it's the leftover precip from hurricane hilary


a cool story that came out earlier today...

North Westside fire chief Ross Kotscherofski said Monday there are “several” firefighters with the Wilsons Landing department that have lost their homes. But they are still working the fire lines every day.
“They come from their hotel in Kelowna with nothing but a suitcase because that's all they have left at this time. And they still show up every single day,” Kotscherofski said.
“And they've made a promise to me that they're going to continue to do so. It's probably one of the most inspirational things that I've seen in my firefighting career.”
...


Brolund said he learned today about a out-of-town municipal firefighter who was scheduled to become a Canadian citizen today, but was now unable to make the ceremony.
“What an important thing, and what a massive sacrifice to make — but he's gonna do it,” Brolund continued. “He's going to do it by Zoom from behind the front lines.”
“People are asking me where he's from. And I don't know. What I do know is he’s going to be from Canada.”

https://www.castanet.net/news/West-K...helming#442804

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Being able to be of service to others is probably a great distraction to have.

It's probably infinitely better than watching from the sidelines.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

nope


we might get "rain" tomorrow and wednesday - which could bring lightning. it's the leftover precip from hurricane hilary

Radar looks like some might be coming your way.

It's raining lightly in Osoyoos or at least that's what my buddy just texted me.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.c...ugust-18-2023/

This Order does not impact travel through to other regions, but the public is asked to avoid non-essential travel to the central Interior and southeast of B.C.
Roadways must remain clear for emergency response operations.

I have no skin in the game but the order doesn't sound as strict as you are saying.

The first part of the order does, though - it's phrased as a request, but they really want ... more:
Travel Restrictions

On August 19, 2023, the Province of B.C. issued an Emergency Order restricting non-essential use of temporary accommodations, including hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, RV parks, and campgrounds, in these Okanagan cities:

• Kelowna & West Kelowna
• Kamloops
• Oliver
• Osoyoos
• Penticton
• Vernon

These restrictions will support access to accommodations for evacuees and personnel providing emergency and critical services. This Order will remain in effect until end of day September 4, 2023.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

The first part of the order does, though - it's phrased as a request, but they really want ... more:
Travel Restrictions

On August 19, 2023, the Province of B.C. issued an Emergency Order restricting non-essential use of temporary accommodations, including hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, RV parks, and campgrounds, in these Okanagan cities:

• Kelowna & West Kelowna
• Kamloops
• Oliver
• Osoyoos
• Penticton
• Vernon

These restrictions will support access to accommodations for evacuees and personnel providing emergency and critical services. This Order will remain in effect until end of day September 4, 2023.

See but that section is saying don't use lodging in those cities.

You're getting bent out of shape about people with Alberta plates driving in BC (I say BC because you don't specify where you were talking about). In the section I quoted it says travel through those sections is fine. So really you have no idea where these people were headed, so you could be getting yourself worked up for no reason.

[Minnie]

Yeah, travel through has been deemed ok, provided you are aware that roads can be shut down and you may be re-routed. Also, if you have family in any of those areas, and they are not in an evac zone, you can stay in private homes. You just can't stop and stay in any of the types of lodging listed, in the cities/towns in the order. They just don't want you consuming resources that could be utilized by evacuees. You can drive through to the coast if you want. Just don't be an arse.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

See but that section is saying don't use lodging in those cities.

You're getting bent out of shape about people with Alberta plates driving in BC (I say BC because you don't specify where you were talking about). In the section I quoted it says travel through those sections is fine. So really you have no idea where these people were headed, so you could be getting yourself worked up for no reason.

NM - I'm having a bad day.

[taxbuster]

Mercifully, we have had a little under 3 mm of rain at our place so far. That's good news.

[Hockeyguy15]

It doesn't say non essential travel though. It says non-essential use of hotels so people evacuated and emergency workers have a place to stay.

You can travel through the region just fine, it clearly states that. It's fine you have a thing against Albertans in BC, but even the advisory says they can still go if they are driving through.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Radar looks like some might be coming your way.

It's raining lightly in Osoyoos or at least that's what my buddy just texted me.

apparently it "rained" on the westside at some point yesterday - but nothing substantial... you know... the amount of precip that happens within 24 hours of washing your vehicle - just enough to make it look 'ugh' again.

we're supposed to get showers in the next 3-4 hours, so hopefully kelowna/west kelowna will get a little wet.
the air is still gross, but you can walk outside and not immediately start hacking and you don't smell like campfire when you go back inside - so that's an improvement i guess? it's also quite humid.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

the air is still gross, but you can walk outside and not immediately start hacking and you don't smell like campfire when you go back inside - so that's an improvement i guess? it's also quite humid.

Funny you should say that....we arrived in Calgary y'day and everyone told us we smelled like smoke....and whenever I come into our camper it, too, smells smoky. Sheesh.


What a treat, though, being somewhere one can breathe without difficulty!!


It's stopped raining at home, but is supposed to restart again in a few hours and continue most of today and part of tomorrow. Fingers crossed for all of us.

[bc-chris]

so close... but yet, so far....


precip by bc-chris, on Flickr

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

so close... but yet, so far....

It's drizzling north of you ... so hopefully will be a little more widespread.

[Knut]

Maybe if everyone in Calgary Blew out at the same time toward the West the rain would shift toward Kelowna

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Knut

Maybe if everyone in Calgary Blew out at the same time toward the West the rain would shift toward Kelowna

You'd think Danielle Smith alone could accomplish that ask.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Lots of rain over in my part of the world, haven't seen any lightning either. Hope Kelowna is getting some of this right now.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Lots of rain over in my part of the world, haven't seen any lightning either. Hope Kelowna is getting some of this right now.

not a drop

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

not a drop

Nelson and Castlegar are hogging it.

Still humidity is pretty high, I'm confident the firefighters will have most of the urban hotspots dealt with.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

not a drop

Ugh, that sucks. Everything here is soaked and has cooled down a few degrees. Would've been perfect for you guys.

edit: looks like a chance for some rain this afternoon and tonight over there. Hope it happens.

[Nancy]

The travel ban has been lifted, except for West Kelowna.

https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.c...ugust-18-2023/

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023EMCR0057-001332

“Because of this, we are lifting travel restrictions for the purpose of staying in temporary accommodation for most of the southern Interior, with the exception of West Kelowna. The order will be lifted for Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon starting tomorrow, Aug. 23, 2023.