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Kelowna Wildfire Resources

Comments 8 by Rebecca Bollwitt
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The Glenrosa wildfire is burning its way down the mountain in West Kelowna and over 11,000 people (and their pets) have already been evacuated.


Used with permission / Credit: Quantummaladjustment.com

With road closures, power outages, poor air quality, and the need for resources, residents and visitors are turning to online sources for information.

kelowna fire
Photo credit: jnishi121 on Flickr

Here’s a quick roundup for those in the area:

  • Major road closures: Highway 97 is closed from Highway 97 C through Westbank & Highway 97 C is closed at Highway 5A to the interchange with Highway 97 due to smoke. Kelowna.com has information about alternate routes if you must get around the roadblocks.
  • Unofficial fire map (via Kelowna.com)


    • View Westkelowna Fire Jul 2009 #kelownafire in a larger map

  • Residents affected by the evacuation order are being asked to report to emergency evacuation reception centres at Royal LePage Place at 2760 Cameron Rd. and Mount Boucherie Secondary School at 2751 Cameron Rd. (source: CBC)
  • Concerned residents or relatives can call (250) 469-8490. Residents who are unable to reach evacuation centres are asked to call (778) 797-2269.(source: CBC)
  • For assistance evacuated your pet, you can reach the BCSPCA in West Kelowna (250) 861-7722. For horses, some of which are being left behind, call “Kim” (250) 215-0144 orthe BCSPCA at the same number. If you’re able to offer space for displaced horses, call (250) 503-8859.
  • For accommodation, donations or to provide volunteer assistance call: 778-797-2269.
  • Public can check on the air quality in the area on the Air Quality Health website or by following updates on Twitter @kelownaaqhi

    • Used with permission / Credit: Quantummaladjustment.com

    So far Global TV has some of the best coverage with an extended news cast tonight, and Kelowna.com (@kelownadotcom) along with Castanet are constantly being updated with news and information. Blogs such as No Going Back also offer personal perspectives and images. The official Twitter tag also seems to be #KelownaFire.


    Used with permission / Credit: Quantummaladjustment.com

    Unfortunately this isn’t the only wildfire burning in BC, as the Terrace Mountain Fire is currently at over 800 hectares (although no structures are threatened). You can view all alerts on the Forest Service of British Columbia website.

    kelowna fire
    Unsure if original source of this famous photo from 2003

    This is the just one of many times in the last decade that a fire of this magnitude has hit the Kelowna area as the Okanagan Mountain Fire consumed 250 square kilometers in 2003. That year it was dubbed the “Summer of Fires” in BC. Luckily reports are currently saying that the Glenrosa fire is 40% contained.

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    8 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

    1. KimmSunday, July 19th, 2009 — 6:56pm PDT

      And this is why I wish it would rain for 3 weeks (or every night).

      Everything is to dry because of the weather, one of these days Stanley Park and or anywhere in the Lowermainland will go up in flames if we(humans) aren’t careful.

    2. Miss604Sunday, July 19th, 2009 — 6:58pm PDT

      I hear ya. Over at Surrey’s Canada Day Celebration I personally stomped out about three burning cigarettes that I found had been discarded in the grass (which was as dry as straw).

    3. KimmSunday, July 19th, 2009 — 8:17pm PDT

      I swear an idiot will start Vancouver(s) fire..

      How’d did Kelowna’s start this time?

    4. TawcanMonday, July 20th, 2009 — 7:12am PDT

      A bunch of my friends are working as fire fighters this summer. As far as I know some of them are in Kelowna fighting this fire. Hopefully it’ll be contained soon.

    5. BradleyMonday, July 20th, 2009 — 7:18am PDT

      Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how it starts. The problem is poor resource management near the interface. Government pledges to committ the necessary funds for elminating fuel sources et cetera have fallen well short of targets.
      Having ssid that, if you build a house next to the bush, there’s an increased chance it’s going to burn. A crowning fire moving as fast as a freight train on the open track will not be stopped. It’s a bit of dice roll to live in the BC country-side.

    6. BradMonday, July 20th, 2009 — 9:50am PDT

      Here’s a website to add to your page:

      http://www.theweathermine.com/

      Normally serves as a local Kelowna Weather Webstie w/ Weather Webcam. Has a good shot of one of the Kelowna Wildfires across the Lake.

    7. JohnMonday, July 20th, 2009 — 10:41am PDT

      My mom lives almost exactly between the two evacuation areas…she’s fine but the air sucks there but she’s staying inside with the air conditioning on..as long as the power stays on…she can’t even go to my sister’s in Rutland since the highway is closed but may take a boat over if she has to.

      Crazy stuff.

    8. jonMonday, July 20th, 2009 — 6:05pm PDT

      im battling these fires right now since the other day i was here in ’03 too but this is more better cause ppl werent giving out info in ’03 this yr its more well organized and we are hittting this very well …thaks to all for ur help …gr8 community

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