Fire & Smoke
We are in the midst of ‘fire season’ here in BC (and western AB also). We had no rain since very early in July and the forest is tinder dry. Dry thunderstorms with lightning strikes can touch down randomly, sparking new conflagrations. Some are easily snuffed, while others take off and spread rapidly. A July 18 lightning storm ~ no rain ~ resulted in several fires around Slocan Lake (about 45 min north of us here) and an out-of-control blaze that forced the evacuation of Slocan City (really, just a village).
For days, on and off, depending on the direction of the wind, we’ve had smoky conditions here in the Valley. Late in July, a fire sparked just NW of where we used to live in Water Valley, AB. Then on August 4, another lightning storm started a 780ha fire just south of our former home in Silver Creek (near Salmon Arm, BC).
As I finalize the writing of this issue, we have had some gentle prolonged rains over the last week. Fires are ‘being held’ (which means they aren’t growing and/or threatening people or structures) and the local evacuation orders have been lifted. People are grateful to be home and life is returning to ‘normal’.
We continue to be thankful for the beauty and wildness of this place. And are grateful for continued safety in the midst of nature’s fury and power.
