Hwy 97c fire

[BoB76]

*removed*

[canuck500]

Fires can travel much faster then that

[Catz]

The skimmers are so cool to watch. Much say sounds like they are coming right through my house, though.

[Darlin06]

Couldn't agree more. They've been flying right over our place. Getting some cool video sitting in my yard.... I certainly won't be napping today!

[bushboy66]

They have been hitting it hard today. Here is the latest Emergency Operations Release.

Date: August 8, 2014

Time: 3 p.m.



West Kelowna, B.C. – Structural fire crews from the Districts of Peachland and West Kelowna and forest fire crews with the BC Wildfire Management Branch continue to pour significant resources in to the Drought Hill Forest Fire. Eighty-seven firefighters, two water tankers on the ground and six aircraft are working to keep the wildfire at bay.



With little wind activity so far today, crews have been able to keep the blaze to 40 hectares in size. The fire is not yet contained and crews continue to work to establish guards through rough terrain. The potential for localized wind gusts and hot, dry weather remain concerns. An Evacuation Order will remain in place for one property in the 4700 block of MacKinnon Road. No further orders or alerts are anticipated at this time.



The Visitor Information Centre on the south side of the Okanagan Connector - Highway 97C across from the fire will remain closed today in the interest of public protection and the safety of air and ground crews fighting the fire.



The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure reminds motorists of westbound and eastbound lane closures along Highway 97C the Okanagan Connector, approximately four kilometers from the junction with Highway 97. Watch for emergency vehicles in the area. For the latest highway information visit www.drivebc.ca



Emergency response personnel request that the public:



Slow down on Highway 97C through the fire zone, stay away from emergency vehicles and watch for lane closure signage and traffic personnel.


Monitor www.cordemergency.ca, www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation.


Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.

[Lazarus]

And the 5PM Update. Bloody 'special snowflake' idiots in their boats. As far as I'm concerned, anyone doing that should have their boat impounded and have to pay a huge fine to get it back. Might cause a couple of their brain cells to rub together...

http://www.cordemergency.ca/CM/Page3353.aspx?Panel=Reading&EntryID=4621085

News Release
News Release No. 11
Date: August 8, 2014
Time: 5:00 p.m.

West Kelowna, B.C. – Boaters are interfering with aircraft attempting to reload with water in Okanagan Lake. Boaters are moving into the area in an attempt to take a closer look at the activity or get photos with their cellphones; and, emergency officials need boaters to stay well clear of the aircrafts’ reloading areas for their own safety, the safety of the pilots and to avoid interfering with the wildfire fight.

Some Glenrosa residents are expressing concerns and anxiety about the number of aircraft flying over their neighbourhoods. At this time, the Drought Hill Fire is the only active blaze in the area, and the wildfire is burning approximately two kilometres from the nearest Glenrosa residences. An Evacuation Order will remain in place for one property in the 4700 block of MacKinnon Road and no further Evacuation Orders or Alerts are anticipated at this time.

Structural fire crews from the Districts of Peachland and West Kelowna and forest fire crews with the BC Wildfire Management Branch have been working steadily throughout the day and have kept the blaze 40 hectares in size, according to the latest reports from the BC Wildfire Management Branch. Officials on site are reporting that the fire is not yet contained but state that crews continue their work to establish guards through rough terrain. The potential for localized wind gusts and hot, dry weather remain concerns.

Fire crews continue to assess the situation and determinations will be made Saturday as to whether or not the Highway 97C Visitor Information Centre can open and if single lane closures will remain in effect in each direction on the Okanagan Connector - Highway 97C, approximately four kilometres west of the junction with Highway 97. For the latest highway information visit http://www.drivebc.ca.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

· Slow down on Highway 97C through the fire zone, stay away from emergency vehicles and watch for lane closure signage and traffic personnel.
· Keep boats well clear of the active water reloading areas on Okanagan Lake.
· Monitor http://www.cordemergency.ca, http://www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency or http://www.twitter.com/CO_Emerg for confirmed information about the situation.
· Please only CALL 911 in case of emergency.

[Frisk]

We watched the fire for a while in Peachland this afternoon. The wind was calm & the fire was just smouldering. The helicopters were hitting it pretty hard, too.

[susyq]

So why are the people in Glenrosa complaining about all the planes flying overhead? Really?? They are probally saving your property.....

[schnyder]

no one said the people in Glenrosa were complaining- it said they were concerned and anxious. And I can tell you it is very unsettling having the planes flying overhead-it reminds us just how close the fire is. This time of year is difficult for anyone who has lived thru these fires over the years knowing how fast and far they can travel. The firefighters and pilots are doing a great job to keep us all safe! No complaints here!!

[Frisk]

On the news it sounded like they said the fire was caused by some kids? Not sure if I heard that correctly.

[Queen K]

Ya, human caused

[Catz]

With the winds, and just over the ridge anything is possible, but I am confident in the ff. They are awesome!

[GordonH]

Hey you idiot lookyloo boaters get the hell out of the area, every one of them should be hit with minimum $2,000 fine for stupidly.
http://www.castanet.net/news/West-Kelow ... the-latest

[Lore]

On the news it sounded like they said the fire was caused by some kids? Not sure if I heard that correctly.

I had heard that also but on this video it says its not confirmed but they suspect a cigarette was flicked into the woods.

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-st ... htm#120625

[dodgerdodge]

And the 5PM Update. Bloody 'special snowflake' idiots in their boats. As far as I'm concerned, anyone doing that should have their boat impounded and have to pay a huge fine to get it back. Might cause a couple of their brain cells to rub together...

To add to this whilst i agree about idiotic boaters the helicopters seemed dangerously close to people this afternoon. We watched from the beach in Peachland and the bucket copter was filling up close to shore and not far from paddle boarders and kayaks who were going about their business not too far from shore as you would expect. Why not fill up farther out?