CANADIAN FOREST FIRES ARE SCARY EVENTS!

As a fire rages in Northern Ontario and the town of Kirkland Lake is on evacuation standby, it is always a reminder of the power of fire and nature combined. As we worry about the safety of the families living there, it is a time to remember we all must be on some form of evacuation order at some time. Even in large urban areas, with chemical spills looming at times we all could face such a stressful event. We are advised by emergency services to have supplies in our homes for power outages or other natural disasters like tornados. I am not sure I would be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice. What to throw in the car? I know I would grab my purse and camera. Perhaps thinking about an emergency bag like the one to be packed when waiting for a baby to be born housed in a front closet would be an idea. This event really reminds me of the fire in Westbank British Columbia in July 2009. My folks' home was in the way of a forest fire on the mountain. They only lost their front hedge and some siding on the house was damaged. The water from the helicopter that doused their house caused a little damage in the house-came in through the front door. Their neighbour had a car burnt and some damage to their garden on their slope. It was a very close call!!

It was called the Glenrosa fire. The saw mill, as can be seen in the picture, was saved by the workers as many actually lived in Glenrosa. When I stood on the road behind my folks' home and viewed the damage on the mountain ridge, it was a real blessing the homes were saved.

As with any disaster there are always people involved who do their job which can often mean risking their lives. There is a beautiful four sided tribute to the events of the Glenrosa fire of 2009 on the side of the ride.
Today there are crews from Ontario fighting our fire. There are 80 fire fighters coming from British Columbia to assist our guys. In 2009 crews from Ontario went to BC to help with not only the Glenrosa fire but others that had been occurring along the Okanagan Valley. In the forest fire fighting community there is a real commarderie of assisting each other regardless where the fire may occur. Here's to all the men and women doing their jobs. In my family I have a nephew, Tom who will be very involved today fighting this current fire. Do you have anyone in harm's way today? Perhaps we all need to say a little prayer for our loved ones!

THE GLENROSA FIRE TWO YEARS LATER

In the summer of 2009 it was very scary for our family when the subdivision-Glen Rosa- West Kelowna, BC needed to be evacuated for a fire. Our folks were one of the many families. We did not know where they were for four days. They lost a hedge, had parts of their siding warped and some water damage from the helicopter dropping water saving their house. Otherwise quite unscathed.  Walking up their street on a recent visit, I noticed some benches up the hill. Climbed the hill and found the commerative kiosk with the story of the fire and the tribute to the people who saved that part of the valley. There is a highway behind the kiosk. The ridge west and north of my folks' house has burnt out trees. In the picture, you can see the saw mill that was saved. All very close to the house.

I compiled many pictures and stories about the fire and made an album. It is another family story. However, it was very peaceful to view and reflect about the fire there. The view of the valley is so beautiful. Seeing the dead trees surrounding the subdivision is a reflection on how close to further destruction and possible death the area could have had. It did not. Three houses burnt to the ground, the workers saved the Saw Mill and no one died! Reflecting on life, it makes me realize other close calls we have had. Feeling blessed does not capture everything we can feel-it does come close! Have you had some close calls? Tell me your story!