More than 1,000 fires are burning in Canada. The British Columbia government is talking about the worst wildfire season on record.
08/23/2023 | 05:57 minutes
Last Friday, firefighters were evacuated from several counties as the fire approached.
Many stayed with friends and family
The British Columbia government finally lifted the evacuation order for Kelowna and parts of neighboring cities between midnight Tuesday and Wednesday.
So this Wednesday is a big Easter day for Kelowna. Many residents stayed with friends or relatives for a few days at a safe distance.
In British Columbia, the military is also on standby due to wildfires. The fire continues to rage, but there are also victories.
08/21/2023 | 02:10 min
Many of the returnees boarded boats across Upper Arrow Lake overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. In the back of their pickup trucks, they stack bikes, furniture, clothes, and other things they don’t want to leave behind. Some walk their dogs a few meters away. Among them was Chris Burton and his daughter.
Strong winds spread the fire across Lake Okanagan
Chris opens videos of the fire on his cell phone, which he recorded the night before his escape. They show how the flames are eating away at mountain tops and approaching residential areas seemingly unstoppable.
Kelowna is a bisected city divided by a lake. Chris filmed West Kelowna burning on the opposite side from his East Bank home.
At night, the bonfires in the videos glow brightly, sending large sparks and burning pellets flying into the air, causing strong winds to blow across Okanagan Lake.
The fire was carried to our seaward side. We actually thought the water would stop.
Then Chris decides to flee: “We know we can’t stay any longer.”
Returnees don’t know if their home is still there
They stayed five days in Calgary, the next largest city. Of course they followed the news there, the daily press conferences of those in charge. At last count around 200 houses were destroyed in the area. You haven’t figured out if you have thoughts of your own. Kelowna firefighters did a great job saving thousands of homes from the blaze. But their greatest merit is that there are no dead.
When the Burtons return they have good news: their home and neighborhood are safe. Firefighters extinguished the fire in time. For other families, it becomes clear on this day that their previous life, their home, has fallen victim to fire. You are left with nothing.
Rain improves the situation, but there is a burning smell
Victims don’t want to find out on television that their house is no longer standing, which is why police officers at roadblocks don’t allow newspapers to report on burned areas. However, on the hillside, you can clearly see where the flames are burning. Burnt areas in the Green Hills of Kelowna west of Okanagan Lake are black and white.
“So far, about 14 million hectares have been burned by more than 5,700 fires that are currently burning,” ZDF reporter Elmer Theven said. Canada.
08/21/2023 | 03:42 min
Fire Brigade: No casualties so far
The battle against fires in the Kelowna region appears to have been won for now. While the fire could burn for months, Chief Jason Broland of the West Kelowna Fire Department explained the situation at a daily news conference Thursday.
Today, to the best of my knowledge and belief, using the best means at our disposal, I can report that no one has died till date.
Tens of thousands had to flee their homes
“Communicator. Entrepreneur. Introvert. Passionate problem solver. Organizer. Social media ninja.”
More Stories
Act fast and get the best offer for the match against Great Britain!
ESC 2024: Ollie Alexander finished 18th for Great Britain
USA beats Germany in Ice Hockey World Cup