Devastating Fires

Kelsey

Kelsey

It’s been an incredibly rough 24 hours. We had a forest fire start a few days ago and yesterday it took a turn toward the city. We are experiencing the worst fire season in history and severe drought situations. Many of my friends have been evacuated from their homes. Some are worried their homes are destroyed. Yesterday morning the fire was 68 hectares, this morning it is 6800 hectares… it also jumped the lake and started a new fire around 9pm last night, causing more mayhem with last second evacuations, and has jumped the lake again this morning further down, causing once again last second evacuations.

I felt like I was driving through a war zone, flashing lights everywhere, fire raging down the mountains towards homes, traffic moving so slow as everyone was fleeing at once. Straight out of a movie 😪

I am safe in my own home so far, but the winds are going to be gusting up to 80km an hour today, so not sure what today will bring but I do know it will be anything but good.

One of our resorts is completely destroyed, Lake Okanagan Resort. I’m sure everything by them is destroyed too. So absolutely heart breaking.

Just a few photos over the last 24 hours.. first photo is when it was probably 600 hectares, had started to rage a couple hours before I took this.

A1E6811B-C106-4441-9A4D-E3E40A1F32D6.jpeg
This was when I was picking up one of my friends dogs as she was frantically packing up important things as the fire was right over the ridge

B3169176-FBE1-4E53-9337-663CF4A99149.jpeg

Somwone took this on the beach across the lake from the fire, before it jumped over

0C80FE60-8AA0-4842-96E1-4013A9556C32.jpeg

this was driving down my road to get to the highway
51563704-AF07-495B-A9DC-1F4E9C7B4A17.jpeg

this was driving over the bridge to get across the lake, picture doesn’t do it justice, the whole mountain side was on fire
4C7402E8-DA7B-4D57-A121-7EC6FB3146F1.jpeg

and here is the resort that was destroyed

DB65BC2E-18D9-4AD8-B6B7-791A9C265F67.jpeg645D8F9E-8237-49A6-99A7-B1AE4574D095.jpeg

Really praying for rain!
 
Stacia

Stacia

Location
Malvern Worcestershire
This is appalling and unbelievable that it can happen, I saw the fire on TV this evening, it looked so frightening. I am so sorry for people who live in the area and who have lost their homes and who may lose their homes. I hope you remain safe, what a horrible drive you had to make. I will pray for rain for you all.
 
Lisa

Lisa

Moderator
Location
Alberta, Canada
So scary! We are getting a boatload of rain here - all last night and all today. Temperature went from 30C yesterday to 15C today. I wish I could send it to you!
Praying that the winds die down. Stay safe! Are you on an evac alert?

My sister is in Kelowna, she just moved there in the spring. Their new house is quite a way away (so far) but their condo is pretty close. They are just in the midst of moving from the condo to the house, so pretty stressful all the way around.
 
HAH

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
Lawks @Kelsey&Axel , this sounds terrifying and the photos really bring it home. Like you say, it feels like a disaster movie. I can’t imagine the weight of fear and expectation and contingency planning that must be in the air right now. Do you have somewhere to go if needed? Praying for heavy rains and favourable winds for you and @Lisa ’s sister and everyone affected x
 
Lisa

Lisa

Moderator
Location
Alberta, Canada
My sister’s condo is on evacuation order now. They are now in the new house (as of a couple days ago) which is further away, but the winds are really bad so who knows.

The highway out can be difficult to drive at the best of times because it’s a winding road through the valley. It’s going to be torturously slow with lots trying to leave at once.
Hope you are safe, @Kelsey&Axel
 
Kelsey

Kelsey

I’m glad they are safe in their house now @Lisa
Very scary times, and yes Westside Road is very windy and narrow.

i have packed all my important documents and am now packing a bag of necessities. The wind has shifted and the fire is coming back strong towards the city. Embers are now landing in my neighbourhood and they are warm.

Also had a fourth fire start up at our local landfill in the middle of residential neighborhoods, and close to our university, all of which are evacuated now.

I’m nervous, I have a cat who doesn’t like other cats or dogs, and have a friends dog with me, not sure where I will go if needed. But I’ll cross that bridge when I have to, for now I’m packing just incase.
 
Lisa

Lisa

Moderator
Location
Alberta, Canada
My sister’s condo is right by the university so that’s why it was evacuated. I thought they were in their house, but not yet. They moved from here in the spring, lived in their condo while they bought a house, and have been doing painting, etc in the new house before they move. So they don’t have anything at the new house yet. Their stuff is in storage in Kelowna. So, tonight they are at a friend’s place , at the friend’s B & B further from the fires. But still in Kelowna area.
Could be a long night over there. Praying for you!
 
Kelsey

Kelsey

Thanks everyone. So far I am still safe in my own home. The smoke is so thick, it’s all I can taste. Lots of burnt leaves and pine needles falling in my yard, and twigs, biggest one I had so far was about 6 inches long, fell out of the sky right in front of me and was burnt to a crisp. It’s honestly so surreal.

My car is packed and ready to go at a moments notice but for now I am sitting staring at my phone for updates. I have lined up a couple places to go if need be, as long as they don’t have to evacuate themselves also. That’s the problem many are having, you find a place then have to evacuate there also 😔
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top