We accepted help from the army and fire departments from accross Canada and the USA - even Australia and Canadian FF were turned away? I live in Kelowna. I was out of my home - not even knowing if I had one for 2 weeks.
Anything learned??
1. how to really fight an interface fire
2. co-operation between provincial govt, city, forestry & Indian bands
3. And jump on these "small fires" fast with everything there is.
There is nothing about fighting a fire like this that is political.
Little known fact - the NEW BC GOV'T of the day had just laid off thousands of trained FF that year (including me). Many of us volunteered for free to fight these fires and were refused (15 years experience! at wildland firefighting).
I used to live in Kelowna and wanted to help, but my services were deemed "not useful"
wow. baaad memories. i remember waking up one morning and walking out into my back yard overlooking the lake. the whole world was gray. plus the only light was coming through the sun and and orange glow from the fire across the lake.
Politics had nothing to do with the initial blunders. As most of Peachland's residents witnessed, the fire was being attacked by two waterplanes and one helicopter when it was still less than 15 hectares in size. Then, the two planes were told to stand down, leaving a solitary helicopter. Witnesses to this were in total disbelief that the fire had effectively been abandoned. The result was the evacuation of more than 27,000 people and the destruction of 239 homes.
Blame that one on the politicians. Krips we had fire crews ready to come help out. From here in Ontario. But someone decided it would be better to employ American fire fighters instead. Best to let the firefighters make the call of the fires. Keep the politics out of it.
THANKS FIRE FIGHTERS! Its just too bad that they didn't do crap about the fire when it started... they underestimated it... its to bad.. that same day they could of taken it out BUT OH NO!
We accepted help from the army and fire departments from accross Canada and the USA - even Australia and Canadian FF were turned away? I live in Kelowna. I was out of my home - not even knowing if I had one for 2 weeks.
Anything learned??
1. how to really fight an interface fire
2. co-operation between provincial govt, city, forestry & Indian bands
3. And jump on these "small fires" fast with everything there is.
There is nothing about fighting a fire like this that is political.
6060Maureen 1 year ago
Little known fact - the NEW BC GOV'T of the day had just laid off thousands of trained FF that year (including me). Many of us volunteered for free to fight these fires and were refused (15 years experience! at wildland firefighting).
I used to live in Kelowna and wanted to help, but my services were deemed "not useful"
Signed, Burn you son of a bitch Campbell
RadiumRobert 1 year ago
They brought in the local reserve units to help out (and some from Vernon/nearby).
ShdSlyr2 3 years ago
"where have all the good men gone?" were men "drafted" or forced to fight fires during this time?
barrymorelover 3 years ago
anybody want 2 know fro fro hero
XxCaressxX 4 years ago
wow. baaad memories. i remember waking up one morning and walking out into my back yard overlooking the lake. the whole world was gray. plus the only light was coming through the sun and and orange glow from the fire across the lake.
oh and what song is this.
toxicpickle 4 years ago
good idea , and good song , to bad photos are so grainy
rhinoL3 4 years ago
Politics had nothing to do with the initial blunders. As most of Peachland's residents witnessed, the fire was being attacked by two waterplanes and one helicopter when it was still less than 15 hectares in size. Then, the two planes were told to stand down, leaving a solitary helicopter. Witnesses to this were in total disbelief that the fire had effectively been abandoned. The result was the evacuation of more than 27,000 people and the destruction of 239 homes.
rovcanada 4 years ago
Blame that one on the politicians. Krips we had fire crews ready to come help out. From here in Ontario. But someone decided it would be better to employ American fire fighters instead. Best to let the firefighters make the call of the fires. Keep the politics out of it.
trapper420 5 years ago
THANKS FIRE FIGHTERS! Its just too bad that they didn't do crap about the fire when it started... they underestimated it... its to bad.. that same day they could of taken it out BUT OH NO!
NationalPro 5 years ago