August 23, 2003
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I don't know how many of you outside of BC are aware of this, but there are unimaginable fires sweeping through our province. There are over 800 burning now.
Being hit especially hard right now is the city of Kelowna, with 30,000 people having been evacuated as of last night. That fire has already destroyed Okanagan Moutain Park, but it is no longer a forest fire, it is a forest and urban fire. Over 200 homes have gone up and many more are threatened. The fire now covers more than 19,000 hectares. For my American friends, a hectare is approx. 2.5 acres. It is being called a Level 6 Fire Storm. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but apparently it is the worst type of fire. You can read more about the situation here or here.
Please keep the people in all the threatened areas in your thoughts and prayers. Also the hundreds of men and women who are doing all is humanly possible to put the fires out. One of those men happens to mean the world to me. My son Kevin is there. We heard a report last night that some firefighters had been trapped by the flames, so needless to say we spent a horrific night waiting for more word. They were able to be rescued.
Wow, just as I was typing that Kevin called. They worked from 6 a.m. yesterday til 6 a.m. this morning, and are just getting set to head back out. He said he was in one of the neighbourhoods that went up. He told me that as they were running for their lives down a hill, he thought to himself he was glad his momma couldn't see him now. I'm sure glad too!
Comments (5)
As I was watching the news last night I was thinking that Kevin was probably there. He is in our prayers as are all the residents.
Oh Tig, I'm glad he called, and he is safe! My thoughts are with him, your family, and th families that are in the fire.
tig i think we drove through there a few years back on our way to Banff. i am glad kevin is safe!!!! i will pray for their safety and some rain!
To think you were probably so relieved after he returned home from the Middle East, only to find it's just as dangerous here. I'll keep him in my prayers.
(((hugs)))
Tig I am thinking of you and your family. WHen I heard the news of the evacuations and fires I knew exactly how you must feel, as we are going through the same thing here. Stay safe, my prayers are with Kevin for his safety.
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