7/19/2009

WEST KELOWNA FIRES

Laila Yuile at http://lailayuile.wordpress.com has graciously posted a couple of websites for West Kelowna fire updates. I'm repeating them here because we have family in the area and there is a problem getting through to them.

If we get through we will update here as well as at Laila's site.

For updates go to http://www.kelowna.com

or to: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090718/BC_west_kelowna_fire_090718/20090718/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

If anyone has any further information you can post here or at Laila's site. Or maybe one of your favorite bloggers has something posted.

Contact numbers

Accommodation

-For accommodation, donations or to provide volunteer assistance call: (778) 797-2269.

Air quality

-If the public wants to know the Air Quality Health Index for their region, log on to www.airhealthbc.ca or call (250) 952-2039.

-For those with less severe respiratory symptoms, there are several walk in clinics open today in Kelowna, including Mission Medical Centre. This can save valuable emergency room time.

Evacuation information

-If you have questions or concerns about the evacuation or evacuation alerts, call (250) 469-8490.

Pets/animals

-For help with pets in West Kelowna: BCSPCA (250) 861-7722.

-If you need a place for horses call Kim at (250) 215-0144 or SPCA at 250-861-7722 and if you have a place for horses call (250) 503-8859.

Power Lines

-If you see a downed power line call 1-888-POWER-ON.



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Update:

Kelowna Fire Department press release/edited

At 6:12 p.m. the Kelowna Fire Department responded to a fire at the Tolko Mill at 820 Guy St.
Initial reports were 25 foot flames coming from the building. KFD responded with three Engines, two Ladder Trucks, one Command Unit and one Safety Unit.

Once on scene crews found fire in a hog pile near the Log Decks extending to the building along with multiple spot fires in the upper levels of the building.

While battling this blaze crews noticed multiple spot fires in another area of the mill approximately 400 feet from the original fire and additional crews were called in to assist.[snip....]

The questions now become: Why did the hog fuel pile start burning in the first place? Were there no sprinklers set on the pile? If there were, were they operational? If not, why not?

There will be a lot of explaining to do when this is over.

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Forest service update: More recruits on the way

Sunday, July 19th, 2009 | 8:10 am

B.C. Forest Service press release 8:07 a.m.

The wildfire burning in the area of Glenrosa, in West Kelowna, is now estimated at 300 hectares in size.

Working in unified command with the West Kelowna fire department, the BC Forest Service’s resources on site include 45 fire fighters, seven helicopters, several pieces of heavy equipment, water tenders and air tankers. Another 80 BC Forest Service fire fighters are on route to the fire this morning. Fire investigators will return to the site today, and a Type 1 Incident Management Team, as well as Structural Protection Units, are also on route to the fire.[snip....}

Where's the Martin Mars Bomber? Is it o the way or is it on site?

Sunday, July 19th, 2009 | 3:18 pm

July 19, 2009, 4:14 p.m.: Tom Wilson, spokesperson for the emergency operations centre, tells AM 1150 that there is likely another press conference later tonight.

July 19, 2009, 3:50 p.m. A new concern on the Westside after reports of a gas leak.

July 19, 2009, 3:33 p.m.

Knox Mountain Park: The park is closed due to risk of fire hazard.

July 19, 2009 3:15 p.m.

Rose Valley: All access points off Westlake Road going west and north into Rose Valley are shut. There is no way to get through. Everything east of Westlake is on evacuation alert. The road is lined with trucks and all ready to go, they are lined with ATVS bicycles, trailers.

12:36 p.m.

EOC press conference reveals 6,500 homes and 17,000 residents have been affected through the order and alert process.

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Update: 5:30 AM July 20,2009 Our family has juat found out that family and friends are noy yet in danger in the area. Although a change in wind direction may affect some.

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