Wildfires Experience

2021 July 19 It is evening and we were sitting outside our Travel Trailer at NK'Mip Park, Osoyoos BC.  The skies have been filled with smoke most of the summer due to the wild fires that have popped up in the area. The temperatures are in the mid 30C. Hot and smoky.  Park security was stopping at each site to give us an evacuation alert and to pack up important things and be ready at any moment to leave the Park. This was an new experience for us and we had to make a decision as to what to take. The first thing came to mind was the our computers and pass code book- our life line to everything we filed, passports, SIN cards, and a change of clothes, medications, wallets, credit cards, Waterfall water system, nutritional supply, a copy of the books we had published. We packed some food for the day 

At 3:30am there was an exodus of summer vacationers leaving the park. Later a Osoyoos Fire truck drove through the park waking everyone up to start leaving and muster at Buy Low Foods. It was a rush to make final decisions of what to do with the power, propane and water. We choose to shut everything off, leave no way to keep the frig running.

We arrived at 5:00am and sat there for a long while wondering what was to come of the day and how long we would out of the park. I was taking pictures and posting them on Facebook to let our family and friends know of our situation. As the day went on several close by friends had offered us a bed in their homes, if needed. The was over whelming. 

As we drove around to see what was happening we watched the action of the water bombers filling up from the lake. It was a eerie feeling the see the fires raging across on the East side and  orange smoky skies reflect on Osoyoos Lake.

A few of the gas stations were out of fuel, however, we did find one to fill the car. The rest of the day we drove around getting another view. Many others were doing the same. Some Campers were settled in for the duration in various parking areas, while others may have returned to their homes, cutting their holiday short. 

The skier were clear further west so we drove to Keromoes for a picnic lunch, buying something from the store as the few restaurants were full. We found  where to register as an evacuee and to let them know we were doing well. Closer to evening we had to look for a place to stay so we accepted friends who lived in Oliver, so we could be close by Osoyoos. 

Thanks to Greg Reely for the night photo.

We keep in touch by the messages posted on Facebook as to when it is safe to return. The fires have spend southeast into the mountain threatening many homes. The overworked Wildfire Volunteers are doing what they came to protect them. 

Here is what it looks like from NASA