Hi Francoise,
Thanks for thinking of me and my neighbours here in..well, hot and smoky
B.C.
I live in Kamloops which is in the middle of all the conflagration.
Townships up the northern valley all the way from Kamloops to Barrierre(Some
60 km away) have had to evacuate to Kamloops. That's 10,000 people that had
to spend the entire long weekend living in motels, evac centers or friends
and families homes not knowing whether they had homes of their own to go
back to. Many had to leave pets and livestock behind ( how to you evacuate
two hundred head of cattle in twenty minutes? which was all the notice some
people had.)
One entire community was lost to the flames. Louis Creek consisted of about
forty homes. All gone now. Many of the residents could see their homes
burning behind them as they left. Another forty or so homes and bussinesses
in Barriere are also torched. Many of the homeowners do not know yet if
their house was one of them. Officials want to do a lot by lot assesment
before they let them know so as to avoid mistakes and undue heartbreak, but
the homeowners are getting angry and upset anyway.
Knowing is better than not knowing.
Those closer to Kamloops were lucky. Thier homes are still intact and they
all returned home today. They are still on evacuation alert as are many
other small communities in the area including Sun Peaks, a ski resort up in
the mountains. They lost all their revenue this weekend since they had a
major festival planned. All the tourists were evacuated, but the residents
were put on alert.
There's another big fire near Vernon, about 50 km south east of Kamloops.
This fire is in a more heavily forested area and is spreading fast. Still
is! Towns in that area are of course on alert, but little damage has been
done to homes. Another fire started last night in the Wells Grey Park some
80km north west. This is in valuable park land that is famous for
hiking,canoeing, white water rafting, waterfalls, you name it! In all there
are 350 fires burning in B.C. and most are just burning wild because there
are not enough fire fighters or air support to deal with them.
The support for those who are evacuated has been both wonderful and
astonishing. Kamloopsians opened their doors, wallets and cupboards for
them, and so did Vancouverites. 7 truckloads of bedding, clothes, toys, food
and water came to Kamloops today from a major tv station which asked for
donations from the public in Vancouver. A large drug chain drug store send 5
or 6 trucks with personal supplies and water. The SPCA have been rounding up
stray animals in the evacuated areas and housing them as best they can. A
rodeo complex in Kamloops has taken in horses and cattle.Donations of animal
food have been appearing at the SPCA and the rodeo grounds. It's just
incredible how people have jumped in to help in any way they can!
Sorry for the long speech. I kind of needed to unload. It was pretty scary
when I woke up fron a nap on Friday afternoon to find the mountain across
the river from me in flames and spending the last four days not knowing
whether you would be hearing a knock on the door in the middle of the night,
and someone telling you to leave your home, now! The devastation is awful
and my heart goes out to those who've lost their homes and property.
--
Jayel
"Françoise" wrote in message
...
Jayel,

Are you living close to the fire? I was wondering. It must be terrible
for those who have to leave their house for security.

Françoise.