lowprofile
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posted on August 22, 2003 09:40:08 AM new
This is not really Ebay related accept some sellers and buyers cannot return to their homes. If you have had a transaction with someone in BC Canada and have not heard from them it may be due to the fact they had to evacuate their home. I would like to figure out a way to raise money for the relief fund via Ebay. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.
Here is a little info about the fund.
Here are some links to the situation here in BC. Its very bad. Something like 800 fires burning.
http://www.pep.bc.ca/operations/operations.html
http://www.castanet.net
Photos at
http://www.silk.fm/silk/firefiles/FirePictures/
http://www.canada.com/national/features/fires/
http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/
Its a very bad situation here, pray for for the people who have lost everything and pray for RAIN as well.
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kiara
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posted on August 22, 2003 10:08:02 AM new
Thanks for bringing this to the boards, lowprofile. It is ebay related.
Approximately 3000 people were on the evacuation list in one area last night and 1000's are out of their homes. It is a raging inferno and people have been e-mailing me pictures of it.
The biggest fires in history are raging on both sides of the Canada/US border at this present time. I have been living in smoke for several months.
This has had a great impact on tourism as well as all who live in the fire areas. Alberta has also had very bad fires.
The Premier is supposed to fly over the fires today in B.C. and look at the damage and perhaps help will be on the way.
Some of these people that are out of their homes may be buying and selling on ebay. Some power has been out and also some cable lines. Some of my family have been on the evacuation list within the past couple of weeks. Many are living in fear.
Yes, most of all we need rain.
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kiara
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posted on August 22, 2003 10:14:51 AM new
This is a fire near a lake in a high tourism area, a place I am very familiar with. This pic was taken night before last.
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lowprofile
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posted on August 22, 2003 10:21:33 AM new
Its nuts here. I am in Kamloops and I cant even let my Kids outside due to the smoke.
I am sure thankful for central air as it keeps the smoke out of the house.
Both my Fatherinlaw and Brotherinlaw had to evacuate.
One fire is really threatening Kelowna..lots of houses burned last night.
Okanagan Park is now completely burned.
http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/okanmtn.htm
Here is a map of the park boundarys and the fire as of Wednesday.
<IMG SRC="http://www.castanet.net/firefiles/FireMapAug20.jpg>"
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kiara
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posted on August 22, 2003 10:32:57 AM new
Thanks for the links, lowprofile. I will try to look at them later tonight and I understand how close you are to it all.
Okanagan Park had lots of wildlife as do all the other areas. There is a huge animal rescue program for people's pets.
Thanks for the links to all the pics. Much appreciated! Please take care!
[ edited by kiara on Aug 22, 2003 11:00 AM ]
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osusieque
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posted on August 22, 2003 11:28:35 AM new
My prayers and blessings are to all the people and animals in Western Canada. I have been watching the fires every night on the news and I am sure that the pics don't come close to the devestation that has been caused.It really got to me last night seeing on the news people in Kelona with sprinklers on their "roofs" and interviewing people that were having to decide the absolute most important things to take from their homes and having to leave so much behind. Alot of "seniors" move to Kelona to retire, all in all a very desperate situation in Western Canada, not to forget the people, animals and beautiful parks. I can't beleive how bad it has been everywhere this year for "natural" disasters as well as various other problems.
Last week we dealt with the "power outage" and still recovering, last night a Petro Canada lubricant plant, about 2 miles from me exploded ( they are says overheated wiring) and a few hours after that a sewage plant caught on fire.
Next Friday I'll be flying to Edmonton and then on the weekend driving up to Yellowknife. I have been warned of fires up that way as well as daily warnings that the buffalo are out on the roads more so than usual and I hear that the moose out on the roads in the Slave Lake area have been so bad they've nickname that strech "moose ally".
Blessings to all in these challenging times.
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wrightsracing
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posted on August 22, 2003 04:04:24 PM new
When it pours it rains only not the wet stuff in Canada.
Sorry to hear of this all, I will keep you all in my prayers and pray for RAIN for you.
So very sad for the families to have this happen.I do worry for the animals too.They have no way of knowing which way to go.
Please keep us posted and the best of luck to all.
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lowprofile
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posted on August 22, 2003 04:23:49 PM new
I was told a story today of some people who tried to save their waterfront home. They had to abandon efforts as the fire got to close..they escaped into the water via small rowboat...the fire created such a big wind the boat capsized..they held onto the boat and were fine. All around them animals were smimming accross the lake...bears, deer etc...
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lowprofile
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posted on August 22, 2003 04:26:28 PM new
Here are some links to keep you upto date on the Kelowna fire
http://www.silk.fm/silk/
http://www.castanet.net
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tomwiii
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posted on August 22, 2003 04:55:22 PM new
" Stay away from alert areas. Looy-loos have impeded residents trying to pack-up and leave."
What are "looy-loos?"
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/vidrat/
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tomwiii
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posted on August 22, 2003 04:57:21 PM new
BTW: I know what ye be going thru! A few yrs ago, we had massive brush-fires here in FL -- my kid & his family were evacuated.
The fire ended about TWO BLOCKS from his house -- pretty tense week back then!
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/vidrat/
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kiara
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posted on August 22, 2003 05:27:05 PM new
The fires have worsened during today. Some of the firefighters are being rescued by zodiacs on the lakes to get them out of the area as the fires break through the guards.
The B.C. blaze that has forced an estimated 10,000 people to flee their homes in the Kelowna area is being called "volatile" and "erratic" by the province's premier.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1061547298099_42///?hub=TopStories
Temperatures in Canada are in Celsius so 30 degrees is close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
[ edited by kiara on Aug 22, 2003 05:31 PM ]
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lowprofile
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posted on August 22, 2003 08:05:06 PM new
Check out these pictures..
http://www.silk.fm/silk/firefiles/FirePictures/FireDamage/slides/
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kiara
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posted on August 22, 2003 08:12:25 PM new
Thanks, lowprofile. If you click on the pics it's so sad. 
http://www.silk.fm/silk/firefiles/FirePictures/FireDamage/
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lowprofile
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posted on August 22, 2003 08:37:29 PM new
Check out the NASA photo...
Funny is this was Malibu burning it would be all over the World News...
Buts it BC Canada and you dont see much about it but in our local news
http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/2003232-0820/Canada.A2003232.2125.1km.jpg
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kiara
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posted on August 22, 2003 08:45:28 PM new
There are now 30,000 people evacuated. I am worried about some of my family.
I saw the NASA photos when I got home this evening.
http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/2003232-0820/Canada.A2003232.2125.1km.jpg
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sparkz
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posted on August 22, 2003 09:31:07 PM new
I can certainly sympathise with the folks in B.C. now. 30 miles east of me is the high Sierras which includes Sequoia National Forest and Kings - Sequoia National Park. Last year was our nightmare for forest fires. Luckily there were not too many populated areas affected, but the damage, both financially and ecologicaly was staggering. The smoke that settled here in the valley was unbelievable, and many people with respiratory problems had to leave until it eventually cleared. It's times like this when you envy those who have drenching tropical storms and hurricanes.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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trai
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posted on August 22, 2003 09:57:29 PM new
Stay safe folks. It has been one of the worst fire seasons in the last sixty years. Right now most of the western u.s. is on fire.
It is so dry and hot this year all over the planet. Europe has had a lot of mayor fires also. The only thing that would help right now would be a good rain.
Pretty awesome pictures lowprofile. Take care.
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jackswebb
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posted on August 22, 2003 10:11:55 PM new
The AMERICAN people hear you. When is the U.S. GOVERNMENT coming to aid? This looks like and sounds like a flat out WAR. A war against these horrible fires. Evacuations of thousands of people. Their homes being destroyed. Has President Bush offered you Help in this battle? This is,,,,, the same Continent. Our prayers are with you. Send in the U.S. Firefighters and help end this insanity.
Unbelievable!!!! pictures of the devastation.
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Fenix03
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posted on August 22, 2003 10:27:57 PM new
If I remember correctly, California used to lease it's Super Scoopers from Canada every season before they finally bought one (and then proceeded to pick up a scuba diver in one and drop him on a fire). Since we are not really hearing much about the fires down here, have they called the planes home to deal with the problems there yet?
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
Men Are Like Grapes. If You Stomp on Them and Keep Them in the Dark Long Enough, They Might Turn Into Something That You Would Take to Dinner
[ edited by Fenix03 on Aug 22, 2003 10:28 PM ]
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kiara
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posted on August 22, 2003 10:54:12 PM new
The world's two largest water bombers are owned by a company here in B.C.
http://members.shaw.ca/apocalypse/digpics/Mars%20Bomber.htm
For a couple of months now the largest forest fires in history have been on the US side of the B.C. border. Canada and the USA have fought fires since the beginning of time all along the border, joining together.
Now because of Homeland Security? Canada's tankers and choppers are not allowed to put ground crews on American soil like they have always done and they cannot refuel there? US firefighters have been on the news about this, wondering why it has to be this way as they are all just friends doing the job of fighting fires to save people on both sides of the border.
But Canada has still had all the tankers and choppers working as close as they can with the US to keep the fires under control even though they can't land. They have also been working with the US to build a huge fire guard along the border. These men on both sides of the border are truly amazing.
Why aren't the Americans helping us? Maybe because they are so busy this year fighting their own terrible fires.
Thanks for all the comments. I am glad to see that some understand the danger and that some care. It means a lot to me.
Edited to add another link about the history of the Mars Bombers. I have seen these very close up and they are huge! Back in 1959 the US Navy was planning to sell them for scrap.
http://www.jimmyhoward.com/Martin-Mars-history.shtml
[ edited by kiara on Aug 22, 2003 11:49 PM ]
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lowprofile
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posted on August 22, 2003 11:48:31 PM new
Here are new pictures from tonight..
Not looking good.
http://www.silk.fm/silk/New%20Pics/slides/JohnCKoershuis01.html
http://www.silk.fm/silk/New%20Pics/index.htm
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lowprofile
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posted on August 22, 2003 11:51:04 PM new
OKANAGAN MOUNTAIN PARK FIRE UPDATE
UPDATE 10:30 P.M. FRIDAY August 22, 2003
Captain Len Moody of the Kelowna Fire Department addressed officials in the Emergency Operations Centre at 9:45 tonight on efforts to battle the Okanagan Mountain Fire.
In his words the fire is a “war zone”, a firestorm category six. Firefighters are battling walls of flame 400 feet high. With wind gusts of 60 to 70 km. per hour pushing the fire at 100 metres per minute tonight, Captain Moody feels fortunate no lives were lost. In two instances firefighters were trapped with flames all around and through the efforts of their colleagues battled their way out.
Homes have been lost between Kettle Valley and Lakeshore Road. More details will be provided as they become available.
Plans are being finalized on the massive job of housing 30,000 people now out of their homes. People who can stay with friends and family are asked to do so. Those who have no other place to stay and require information on temporary accommodation may call the Public Information Line at 869-0386, or they may go to either the Parkinson Recreation Centre or Kelowna Secondary School on Raymer Avenue.
Skyreach Place on Water Street and Trinity Baptist Church on Springfield at Spall are both open to accept evacuees who have no accommodation arrangements. For anyone travelling north the Vernon Recreation Complex at 3310 37th Avenue is also open for evacuee assistance.
Three thousand people in Kelowna are on Evacuation Alert.
URGENT PUBLIC REQUESTS:
· Boil Water Advisory – Residents who obtain their drinking water from the Black Mountain Irrigation District and South East Kelowna Irrigation District are urged to boil all drinking water for human consumption or use bottled water. The chlorine cylinders that are normally used to treat water have been removed from the potential fire path and water for the two systems is not being treated.
· Please stay off the telephone lines, and please don’t use cellular phones, unless it is extremely urgent. All circuits are overloaded and emergency personnel are not able to access free lines. The 9-1-1 Emergency Line is jammed. Anyone needing an ambulance and not able to get through by calling 9-1-1 should call 860-0054.
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kiara
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posted on August 22, 2003 11:58:42 PM new
Amazing pics! I will post clickable links for you, lowprofile. More homes have been destroyed and I'm watching it all on TV direct from Kelowna though the footage keeps cutting out.
http://www.silk.fm/silk/New%20Pics/slides/JohnCKoershuis01.html
http://www.silk.fm/silk/New%20Pics/index.htm
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