the west is burning ( Archived) (4)

@Derty At one time we had over 280 fires burning. I think the other day it was around 200. The total number of fires so far this year is nearly 1700. That's just BC. Alberta or Sask. have been bad too. We had guys from Ontario and also Australia, New Zealand and Mexico helping.

I had one not too far from me a little while ago and the air quality was terrible. Worse than Beijing! It wasn't nice to breathe in what seemed like camp fire smoke all day! I got a headache from it. Can't imagine people with respiratory issues dealing with it.

We just another one at a campsite where people had to run for their lives. Even embers burning holes in the car seat as they fled. People could feel the heat and the roar of the fire coming. Some trailers and 30 homes nearby burnt down. They think it was human caused (cigarette butt!). A few days ago some wineries and homes were threatened in another area. And not too long ago there was another close call affecting over a 100 homes I think but thankfully they saved them. In 2002 we had a firestorm and lost over 200 homes.

It's been the worst fire season on record I think. With global warming our fire seasons are going to be longer now and more intense. Here they are rethinking their wildfire strategies. They are trying to better predict wildfires based on historical data, current weather conditions and forecasts then have resources in place ready to go when one starts. These are for the most at risk and larger wildfires.