Canada: Raging Okanagan wildfire in British Colombia destroys homes and buildings, threatens farm animals
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Sep 10, 2012, 2:36:47 PM9/10/12
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Canada:
Raging Okanagan wildfire in British Colombia destroys homes
and buildings, threatens farm animals
Wildfires burn in Peachland and Lions Bay
By Christopher Reynolds and Zoe McKnight, Vancouver Sun September 10, 2012 10:12 AM
SUMMERLAND - An official with the Central Okanagan Regional District said the wildfire that's forced over 1,500 Peachland residents to evacuate has destroyed several homes and buildings, but he could not confirm the extent of the damage.
"We know there's been some damage, but specifically what or where I can't say," said district spokesman Bruce Smith. "We're in the process, now that we've got daylight, of doing a detailed assessment."
Reports spread Sunday of horses and other farm animals threatened by the fire, which reached some rural properties in the early evening.
Kelowna RCMP Const. Steve Holmes said officials weren't certain whether their structures were engulfed by the flames.
"We had a livestock rescue come in as well and get a lot of the horses and other animals out of the area," he said.
The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team received "overwhelming support" from people offering large horse hauling trailers. The organization said it did not need the trailers, but it is at the West Kelowna and Summerland evacuee centres helping account for the livestock affected by the fire.
Over 200 evacuees registered Sunday night at the West Kelowna centre along with numerous pets, Smith said, "obviously the ones that they could transport."
No reports of injury or death have surfaced, for people or animals.
The fire is currently burning across 200 hectares - double Sunday evening's blaze - with 30 firefighters on scene from the Wildfire Management Branch in addition to local fire rescue crews.
"The winds have picked up again, that could have an impact," Smith said, acknowledging the slowdown in fire growth early Monday morning may be counteracted by heavier winds fanning the flames later today.
"They're basing their plan of attack today based on the weather conditions to be an optimum firefighting effort."
About 150 personnel - provincial and local teams on the ground as well as heavy equipment operators and helicopters - have been dedicated to the Peachland fire. The Kelowna fire centre has also dedicated resources to a 15-hectare fire near Falkland, about 115 kilometres to the north. That fire did not grow overnight, but there are still several "hot spots" of note.
Despite local rumours of a meteor strike causing the Peachland fire, officials said that was highly unlikely.
The cause of both wildfires remains under investigation.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Vancouver/831135/story.html#ixzz265qTddQR
Wildfires burn in Peachland and Lions Bay
By Christopher Reynolds and Zoe McKnight, Vancouver Sun September 10, 2012 10:12 AM
SUMMERLAND - An official with the Central Okanagan Regional District said the wildfire that's forced over 1,500 Peachland residents to evacuate has destroyed several homes and buildings, but he could not confirm the extent of the damage.
"We know there's been some damage, but specifically what or where I can't say," said district spokesman Bruce Smith. "We're in the process, now that we've got daylight, of doing a detailed assessment."
Reports spread Sunday of horses and other farm animals threatened by the fire, which reached some rural properties in the early evening.
Kelowna RCMP Const. Steve Holmes said officials weren't certain whether their structures were engulfed by the flames.
"We had a livestock rescue come in as well and get a lot of the horses and other animals out of the area," he said.
The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team received "overwhelming support" from people offering large horse hauling trailers. The organization said it did not need the trailers, but it is at the West Kelowna and Summerland evacuee centres helping account for the livestock affected by the fire.
Over 200 evacuees registered Sunday night at the West Kelowna centre along with numerous pets, Smith said, "obviously the ones that they could transport."
No reports of injury or death have surfaced, for people or animals.
The fire is currently burning across 200 hectares - double Sunday evening's blaze - with 30 firefighters on scene from the Wildfire Management Branch in addition to local fire rescue crews.
"The winds have picked up again, that could have an impact," Smith said, acknowledging the slowdown in fire growth early Monday morning may be counteracted by heavier winds fanning the flames later today.
"They're basing their plan of attack today based on the weather conditions to be an optimum firefighting effort."
About 150 personnel - provincial and local teams on the ground as well as heavy equipment operators and helicopters - have been dedicated to the Peachland fire. The Kelowna fire centre has also dedicated resources to a 15-hectare fire near Falkland, about 115 kilometres to the north. That fire did not grow overnight, but there are still several "hot spots" of note.
Despite local rumours of a meteor strike causing the Peachland fire, officials said that was highly unlikely.
The cause of both wildfires remains under investigation.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Vancouver/831135/story.html#ixzz265qTddQR
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