SOS Shuswap- fire story
My name is Stef and my husband Jorne and I own a home at the end of Meadow Creek road in Celista, British Columbia. The fire department and forestry lit a back burn around 4.00 PM on Thursday August 17th knowing there were 30 km winds coming. No new outlet is talking out this. My husband has been monitoring the winds and the Adams creek fire for weeks. On Tuesday August 15 we knew the winds were coming. The fire was approx. 15 km away from us. We don’t know who decided to light a back burn knowing the wind forecast. They lit a 14 km back burn right to our back door and never notified us. My dad who lives in Kelowna knew about an out-of-control back burn before we did. They didn’t even come to tell us. They notified the locals posting it on piece of paper in gas station.
At 8.45 PM we saw few fire just over the ridge. And by 12 PM it had reached Meadow Creek Rd. and was in back yard. Without the back burn we could have a whole day to prepare. We did have sprinklers up, water tanks loaded and generators ready to go. We knew we were pretty much on our own and would not receive much help. The fire department did come down the road and where there briefly. Once they deemed the fire out of control they left. When the fire came into the valley, we watched it burn up the sides of the mountain due to humidity dome created with all the sprinklers and water. The fire department abandoned us. About 2 hours had passed when some local came down our valley with resources and help. I was notified the fire department was sitting in a field having coffee so I went to get them. When I got there I asked them to come help us, told them the situation. One of the firemen told me they wanted to help, but order was to sit. I yelled at them to get in their truck and come help us. They said the would. I went back down the road to notify our crew they were coming. I sat and waited bot no one come. About 15 minutes had gone by so I went back up the road and found them sitting about 1km away. They told me they were assessing the situation. I asked how they could assess if they couldn’t see it? I again asked them to come help and they finally did. Everyone ran around putting hot spots out. We wore water packs and half masks with headlamps for the next 3 days make it sure our houses made it through.
In the initial days after the “superfire” the locals were able to get water, gas and supplies but now there is a heavy police presence. They have roads blocked off saying they are preventing looting. The locals are being told to return to their homes. They are not allowed to be helping at all. There are spike strips on the roads. Police blocks everywhere. There are people trying to get essential supplies in such as water, gas and food by boat. They are being turned away. Police are patrolling the roads and water. They have the gas station blocked off.
We are more than equipped to help put this fire out, but we are being stopped. We need resources such as gas, diesel to keep us going. They’re trying to starve us out so they can let it burn.
My number is 250-509-0400. Please feel free to post my number. I’m willing to talk to anyone who can help us.
Stef
