Waiting to see if we have to evacuate from wildfire in Kelowna, BC

[yliza]

Last edited Fri Aug 18, 2023, 10:38 PM - Edit history (1)

My husband and I live in Kelowna. We’ve been hammering our local news website all day for updates on evacuation orders.

Last night, the fire broke out on the west side of the lake (Kelowna is on the east side). This morning we woke up to find that the fire had jumped the lake and was now burning on both sides. West Kelowna suffered major structure damage, including a lakeside resort that is completely demolished.

Via castanet.net, view of West Kelowna from last night:



Strong winds have been a factor in feeding the fire, spreading burning embers that have ignited new blazes.

I’m anxious but we’ll be okay. We have all our stuff packed in case we need to leave in a hurry. We might lose our stuff but hubby and I and the fur baby should be safe and that’s what’s important.

Update: David Eby, our premier, has declared a state of emergency.

Update 2: Many thanks for all the love and support and good advice. So far things are okay on this side of the lake. The west side is in bad shape though, more people under evacuation orders every hour it seems. I keep doom-scrolling castanet.net for updates and will continue to do so until we get the all-clear.

Update 3: Good article at DKos about the situation https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/8/18/2188019/-Maui-Yellow-Knife-Tenerife-and-a-scary-out-of-control-wildfire-now-burning-Kelowna-BC

[LoisB]

1. OMG, how frightening. Please take care and stay safe.

[yourout]

2. We're supposed to fly to Calgary right after Labor Day and go to...

Banff.
Hopefully all the fires are out or at least contained.

[Bev54]

30. We are good in Calgary and Banff

[Lasher]

32. I have been to Calgary and Banff

Banff in particular is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

[Bev54]

35. That it is, we are very blessed to live in such a beautiful area, The Okanagan, including

Kelowna and area are also extremely beautiful areas, just different. I tend to avoid Banff in the summer, last weekend they had to stop people from going in, there was just too many people visiting. Crazy.

[Lasher]

39. Really? You go to Banff in the wintertime? You must be a hearty soul.

Don't tell me, you like to spend summers in Phoenix.

[Bev54]

42. LOL I am Canadian, winter is winter, used to downhill ski but had to give it up

But mostly go in spring or fall, although we have gone with the bikes and grandchildren to ride the paths. It is nice now if we want to go from Calgary, they have a daily bus that goes for $10 per person. It is a great deal.

[Lasher]

46. I have an old friend in Boston. He love to ride his snow machine during winter.

I guess that's a lot of fun if you bundle up.

Good luck to you and my other friends north of the border.

[CentralMass]

3. Stay safe.

[bahboo]

4. yikes...good luck to you...

we visited Kelowna about 20 years ago and loved it. Beautiful town and area....

[Hortensis]

5. Might be a good time for a nice road trip

or visit to friends. Just load up what you have packed and go. It would also take you out of the area and lessen the burden on services if it came to that.

Just a thought. We’ve done it ourselves. Stay safe.

[yorkster]

6. Best to you and stay safe.

Thinking of all of you up there.

[tanyev]

7. How awful.

Best wishes.

[Hekate]

8. Speaking as a Californian: stop waiting -- leave now. When a fire jumps major geology...

…it’s time to go.

Aside from your fur baby and pet food, make sure you have important papers, medications, cash and credit cards. Electronics and chargers. Some clothes and blankets.

God speed and keep us posted.

[Deuxcents]

16. I hope yliza gets your posts..you covered it all

Or at least that’s what we’re told when we need to evacuate for hurricanes..in an emergency, anyone could lose track and forget something important. Good to have a reminder.

Safe travels to all DU Canadians and anyone else in the line of this emergency.

[Hekate]

18. Forgot to add: keep a full tank of gas and keep the car facing out

[Deuxcents]

25. Yes, they tell us that, too. I just googled

West Kelowna where yliza said she is and it’s not good at all. I hope she and all get out and don’t wait.. they could get caught in a traffic jam … for some reason, I didn’t think the fires were that bad but they’ve been on fire up there for a very long time.

[yliza]

20. Thanks for the tip

I think we’ve got everything.

We’ve been very lucky up til now, major fires all around but not much in Kelowna proper. We’d leave but there isn’t really anywhere for us to go until we get an evacuation notice, at which time the infrastructure for evacuees will be available.

[Bev54]

36. I heard that UBC OC has been evacuated, does that mean they have closed the hwy north

to Vernon? Is the Hwy to Rock Creek still open?

[yliza]

38. I think it's still open

I haven’t heard of any closures on rte. 97 north of Kelowna.

[Bev54]

45. I hope so, was just concerned because the campus is very close on the hwy.

[Bev54]

48. Hwy 97 closed from Coldstream to Peachland.

[PufPuf23]

24. Thank you. Watch for you as a calming, logical voice at DU. nt

[Hekate]

31. Oh

[Grey]

9. I am watching from

Williams Lake. Stay safe, You are in my thoughts. I know this is not your first fire watch. I also know the stress and heartache. It's easy to say "Keep calm and carry on" but it's not that easy to do. I am also watching for information about Vernon, I have family there. I hate fire season.

[redwitch]

10. I'm sorry, so incredibly stressful!

Be safe, sending lots of good energy your way!

[Delphinus]

11. Be safe!

Get out of there - don't wait. Be careful and keep us posted as you can.

[Spazito]

12. I just watched the Premier's press conference....

I hope you don't have to evacuate but am glad you are ready if you receive an evacuation order. Are you under an alert now?

My thoughts are with you and everyone who is having to deal with this and hope the weather starts to cooperate instead of making it worse.

[yliza]

22. Not under an alert yet

Keeping an eye on things though, we do know how quickly things can go bad.

[Spazito]

23. That's good news...

I have been watching the news and things are rapidly changing for sure. I am glad you and your loved ones are safe but ready to leave if the worst happens. My fingers are crossed that everything stabilizes there very soon.

[malaise]

13. Stay safe

[cilla4progress]

14. Keeping you in mind, yliza -

stay safe!

[MLAA]

15. Sending you hugs and best wishes.

[gademocrat7]

17. Take care and

stay safe.

[OneBlueDotS-Carolina]

19. I'd be on the road toward Vernon.

First thing in the morning. We used to live in Glenrosa, a pinch south of Westbank. Sad to see this happening again to Kelowna.

Be safe,,,

[housecat]

21. "hubby and I and the fur baby should be safe and that's what's important."

Sounds like your head and your heart are in a good place. You'll be fine. Please keep us posted if you can. And of course be safe.

[niyad]

26. Holding you all in love and light. Please stay safe, and check in whenever

you can.

[chowder66]

27. Be safe!

[Bev54]

28. Wishing for your safety and some rain, we got some in Calgary today.

I have many friends in Kelowna and West Kelowna, having lived many years in Vernon. I have friend that evacuated last night as well. I too am keeping an eye on Castanet. Hope you get some sleep.

[roamer65]

29. Jeebus.

Stay safe.

[wendyb-NC]

33. Oh my, that is terrifying.

Please, get as far away from that fire as possible. Be safe I pray you and your family will find safe shelter away from the fire. Take care, be safe.

[Fla Dem]

34. That picture is absolutely horrifying.

Please yliza don’t take any chances You, your husband and your fur babies get out before it becomes impossible.

Sending prayers and encouraging vibe to you and all the people in Kelowna. Stay safe.

[EndlessWire]

37. Keep yourself safe.

You have nowhere to go? Go wherever the fire isn't. I am so sorry to hear that this is happening to you.

[ailsagirl]

40. Stay safe!!!!

[mountain grammy]

41. Good luck and good thoughts to you.

[BidenRocks]

43. Holee hell

I recognize Kelowna as a home of Hugh Rowlands of Ice Road Truckers.
Living in So. Cal, our time is coming. But first a tropical storm for the first time since 1939.
Be safe and have your bags packed!!
That is some scary shit!

[TeamProg]

44. Oh man, that looks really serious. We've been evacuated three times fr

from fires and it is no fun at all.

We have confidence in CalFire to contain asap but it’s never easy.

We have a fire emergency list of what to pack up and that helps.

I can’t put into words how stressful it is.

Fortunately fires never came too close but it’s frightening.

I sympathize and relate to your situation.

[herding cats]

47. Just leave.

Please, hear me. Pack up what you can carry and leave. Worst case you saved your most precious items. Best case you overreacted. Which isn't seeming likely.

I deeply understand. It's painful and terrifying to leave. Still, please , go!

My family lost absolutely everything in the bear complex fire in 2020. Save what you love most and evacuate now. The sooner you leave the more of your precious memories you can take with you.

My heart to you tonight. Be safe and proactive.

Keep us posted when you can. I'm so deeply sorry you're dealing with this.

[Unwind Your Mind]

49. I'm so sorry you're going through this

Others have given good advice already, I’ll just add a couple. Pack a good lunch, at least, to take along, hot thermoses of coffee too. And, remember that even if you don’t feel it right away, you’re going to be stressed and exhausted, so take opportunities to rest whenever you can and go easy on yourself.

Take care, I’ll be thinking of you