ACTION SOUGHT | Regional district wants traffic light at Stickle Road to improve safety [A5]
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Friday, August 17, 2012
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Campfires banned RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Tense times for Rise resident RICHARD ROLKE
“It actually jumped the fire guard and it was, ‘Oh my goodness, we better get some more resources to this location,’” he said of the area near Ertl’s home. Ertl has nothing but praise for the firefighters and the extreme conditions they experienced. “Just to see them walking up the hill carrying hoses is amazing. We’ve walked up the hill and it’s barely doable,” she said. “It was so smoky and with the spotters (planes) flying through, you barely could see them.” A cause for the fire has still not been determined, and Blair would not speculate on whether an abandoned cigarette may be responsible. Mayor Rob Sawatzky has praise for everyone involved in extinguishing the blaze. “I have been very impressed with their dedication,” he said. “It was nice to see the cooperation among the agencies. As a community, we are very lucky.”
Morning Star Staff
Sharon Ertl jokes that she’s gone from tornado alley to the hot seat. Still unpacking from a recent move from Red Deer, Alta., Ertl was faced with a dangerous situation as a rapidly moving grass fire neared her home in The Rise neighbourhood Tuesday afternoon. “We were hosing down everything we could,” she said. The flames, fuelled by winds off Okanagan Lake, became so unpredictable that Ertl and one other residence were evacuated. “The neighbours were here and they grabbed everything important — pictures, passports,” said Ertl. They were allowed to return home by 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. “I kept waking up to see hot spots. But the guys were all out there so I knew we were safe,” said Ertl. Vernon, Okanagan Landing and B.C. Forest Service crews
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ANDRE LODDER/MORNING STAR
A bomber drops a layer of retardant on a grass fire next to The Rise Tuesday. More photos and video online at vernonmorningstar.com had the 36.3-hectare blaze fully contained by late Wednesday. However, 100 per cent containment doesn’t mean all of the challenges are extinguished. There are still the possibilities of hot spots flaring up. “It could be as late as a week before it pops up,” said Jack Blair, Vernon deputy chief. “We will be monitoring this
for the next week or two weeks.” An infrared scan Thursday identified seven hot spots and they were tackled. “With one spot, they had to dig down a foot to get to it,” said Blair. He admits there was a possibility of losing structures Tuesday because of the changing wind directions.
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Sharon Ertl looks over the charred hillside next to her home at The Rise. The 36.3-hectare grass fire forced her to evacuate Tuesday.
A summer tradition has been doused. Extremely dry conditions have forced the Ministry of Forests to ban campfires today at noon in provincial parks and on Crown and private land. Several local jurisdictions have also taken similar action. “There has been an extenuating dry period with no rain,” said Michaela Swan, an information officer with the Kamloops Fire Centre. To emphasize the current situation, Swan points to Tuesday’s grass fire in Vernon. It grew rapidly and came close to two homes at The Rise neighbourhood. Michaela Swan The ministry also has a concern that anticipated hot weather will heighten the fire risk. “The forecast shows lighting this weekend,” said Swan, adding that the campfire prohibition allows ministry personnel to be focused on any lightning-caused fires. “Human-caused fires divert resources away from nature-caused fires.” This prohibition will remain in place until the public is notified that it has been rescinded. Similar action is being taken by the City of Vernon. “Our ban will be effective noon today, the same as Kamloops Fire Centre,” said Courtenay Pitcher, communications officer. The Regional District of North Okanagan has initiated a ban in those portions of BX-Swan Lake and BX-Silver Star covered by fire protection service. Other electoral areas within RDNO are covered under Ministry of Forests regulations. A campfire ban also takes affect in Lumby, Lake Country and along North Westside Road. Swan understands that people enjoy campfires during the summer, and she says the decision to prohibit them isn’t made lightly. “We don’t put them in place unless we have a grave concern,” he said.