SIMILKAMEEN SIZZLE
Review
THE
www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Vol.17
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage
Number 35
Thursday, August 27, 2015
4 weeks & Counting! $1.15 including GST
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
Smoky skies choking the fun out of summer Smoke is over shadowing the last few weeks of summer in the Similkameen and many other parts of the province. Starting Saturday afternoon some residents were choked out from favourite warm weather activities like walking, biking or even sitting in their backyards, as strong north west winds pushed smoked through the valley. The smoke is mainly coming from large wildfires in Washington. Most notably, the aggressive Stick Pin fire has grown to in excess of 190-square kilometres. The fire is less than four-and-a-half kilometres from the border. BC wildfire crews have been sent to help out the province’s Washington counterparts to help contain the fire. The smoke haze that will last until the wind direction changes has stopped tourists and locals from seeing valley views. Into Tuesday all that could be seen of area mountains were outlines. The famous ‘K’ on K Mountain could not be seen at all. Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment have issued air quality adviso-
ries for South Okanagan, including the Similkameen, the Central Okanagan and the North Okanagan. Sue Pollock, medical health officer for Interior Health said at this time of year smoky skies are to be expected but there are things residents can do to help themselves breathe better. Some people may experience symptoms as insignificant as runny noses, scratchy throats and mild headaches while others may experience more serious symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing. Closing and locking all windows and doors and running an air conditioner with clean filters can help reduce the smoke particles in the air. “Although for most there will be no health issues but there are several groups at high risk from the effects of wildfire smoke.” People with chronic heart and lung conditions including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma and congestive heart failure are cautioned to reduce activities outdoors when the skies are hazy with smoke.
Tara Bowie
Tara Bowie
Smoke is so thick in the Similkameen only the outlines of the mountains can be seen. The ‘K’ in K mountain was not visible Tuesday.
Younger children and older adults are also sometimes at risk. “Other groups that are higher risk people are very active people who work outdoors or are outdoors for significant amounts of time. They are exposed to the smoke the air the longest. Obviously when you are indoors there is less expo-
sure,” she said. Those experiencing more severe symptoms should immediately go to the hospital and if there is any difficulty in breathing should call 911. Pollock recommend everyone participate in cool activities. “Usually when we’re seeing
Some residents are taking extra precautions by wearing face masks to help filter smoke particulate from entering their respiratory systems.
smoke in the air, we’re also experiencing warm temperatures. Head to the mall so you can be in the air conditioning. Go to the movies. Go do something indoors where you can get a reprieve from the heat.” For information about air quality throughout the province visit www. bcairquality.ca.
Safety comes first at Keremeos war monument Review Staff
No, the cenotaph hasn’t been vandalized, it’s getting a bit of a facelift for liability reasons. Many residents Tuesday noticed a fence surrounding the monument dedicated to fallen soldiers of the First World War, Second World War and Korean War. The flagstone steps were noticeably smashed almost into powder. Cathy Cowan, the village’s CAO told the Review the steps needed to be reconstructed because of insurance reasons. “We’re putting in proper steps so people don’t trip and fall,” she said. During a recent municipal insurance review the four stairs on the cenotaph were found to have different rises, which can make it difficult for people to
manoeuvre. Cowan said municipal staff will repair the stairs and a concrete will be used. The concrete will be coloured so it will match the original portion of the cenotaph. The estimated cost is between $1,500 and $2,000. Cowan said the Keremeos Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is contributing to the cost and local contractor Early Bird is donating some of the materials. The Keremeos Cenotaph was constructed between 1948 and 1953 out of flagstone. In 1967 it was moved to its present location in Memorial Park. A plaque including the names of Keremeos residents who lost their lives while fighting the First World War and The steps at the Keremeos cenotaph are being reconstructed for safety reasons. the Second World War.