FOREST FIRE IN CANADA FORCES EVACUATION OF FIVE-THOUSAND PEOPLE

08/22/2003

(Kelowna, British Columbia-AP) -- A forest fire in Canada has forced the evacuation of five-thousand people in southern British Columbia.
The 51-square-mile blaze jumped a fire break in Okanaga Mountain Park. People in a nearby community were directed to two emergency reception centers.

Officials say the homes weren't in immediate danger, but since the fire was moving quickly they didn't want to take chances.

Ash and sparks have also been falling on another nearby community where residents were put on an evacuation alert.

Officials say they have more than a hundred firefighters and nearly a dozen helicopters working to control the blaze. There's also a fleet of 50 bulldozers and other pieces of heavy equipment trying to clear a break around the fire

Hi Mule. My hubby talked to his mom on Thursday evening as she lives in downtown Kelowna and she said the smoke is making it harder to breathe but they are not on evacuation notice as the fires are on the out laying areas and she emailed me last night to say that are still safe. There was one fire fighting helicopter crash killing the pilot last week. We're praying the wind stops soon. Check http://canada.com/national for the newsstory and some pics. of the fires in both Kelowna and Kamloops areas which are about two hours apart. Kate

I found this on another message board this morning....


Subject: Further to the BC Fire Situation

The fires here in the BC interior have now reached cataclysmic =
proportions. =20

With this current wildfire situation, the worst is now happening - the =
city of Kelowna itself is now burning!!!!!!=20

The Okanagan Mtn park fire has been unstoppable. Burning 300-400' feet =
in the air and consuming anything and everything in its path. As of =
late last night, they evacuated 30,000 people or 1/3 of the city of =
Kelowna's entire population. The fire is apparently cutting a swath =
five to ten miles wild which has swept down over the ridge and is now =
starting to burn right into the heart of the city. Nothing is being =
spared and no efforts to stop it have any effect. Expensive million =
dollar homes, farms, and large residential neighbourhoods are going up =
in smoke, just like matches. People are being given five minutes notice =
to leave. The roads out are jammed and people are resorting to have to =
walk their horses out. All care facilities and the hospital have, or =
are being evacuated.

It is just fearsome and incredible. Worse than anybody has seen before, =
or that they have ever imagined.