Fires in Canada

[Rollin Ollen]

Can you plan around wild fires unless you're the one setting them???

Back to some seriousness. Planning around wildfires is sometimes impossible but planning on what to do in case you find yourself encountering one is now part of our game plan. In August of 2021 we found ourselves trapped in Merritt BC unable to move for almost three weeks. The worst part of the stay was the constant rumors that made there way around about when an evacuation route would be available. We were told to rely on a network controlled by the RCMP but some others decided they could not wait. One evening around 10:00 PM people were sounding their horns and yelling that a route was open south to Princeton. That highway is a two lane paved but with no shoulders. We stayed put but our neighbor decided to go. The route became plugged almost immediately. People fleeing were using both lanes to head south but there was still local traffic heading north thus chaos erupted in short order. How many people do you think can back up their trailer for a couple of miles at night? Tempers were about as hot as the fires we were told. Word did get to the RCMP and they blocked the route but not quick enough. Our neighbor arrived back in the wee hours the next morning. About three days later the RCMP finally were able to let us leave and if your plan was the head to Vancouver (our was), you were in luck 'cause that was the only direction allowed. We did drive through areas still on fire but just smoldering. If we ever fid ourselves stuck again we will call/text/FB others to let them know we are okay (we didn't last time and some folks got pretty concerned about our well being), don't listen to rumors just follow directions to the letter from folks that are in place to look after you.

 

[BGMAC]

Back to some seriousness. Planning around wildfires is sometimes impossible but planning on what to do in case you find yourself encountering one is now part of our game plan. In August of 2021 we found ourselves trapped in Merritt BC unable to move for almost three weeks. The worst part of the stay was the constant rumors that made there way around about when an evacuation route would be available. We were told to rely on a network controlled by the RCMP but some others decided they could not wait. One evening around 10:00 PM people were sounding their horns and yelling that a route was open south to Princeton. That highway is a two lane paved but with no shoulders. We stayed put but our neighbor decided to go. The route became plugged almost immediately. People fleeing were using both lanes to head south but there was still local traffic heading north thus chaos erupted in short order. How many people do you think can back up their trailer for a couple of miles at night? Tempers were about as hot as the fires we were told. Word did get to the RCMP and they blocked the route but not quick enough. Our neighbor arrived back in the wee hours the next morning. About three days later the RCMP finally were able to let us leave and if your plan was the head to Vancouver (our was), you were in luck 'cause that was the only direction allowed. We did drive through areas still on fire but just smoldering. If we ever fid ourselves stuck again we will call/text/FB others to let them know we are okay (we didn't last time and some folks got pretty concerned about our well being), don't listen to rumors just follow directions to the letter from folks that are in place to look after you.
View attachment 23885View attachment 23886View attachment 23887

Glad everything turned out ok with you. If always aired on safety. Being a pilot taught me that. We plan on staying well away from the fires. If we cannot we will go elsewhere.