Greetings all from Penticton, BC!

I wanted to give a “real time” update on the situation here with regards to the Christie Mountain wild fire. It appeared the fire was stabilized over the course of the last few days; however, forecast winds blowing from the south have caused a turn of events. Currently the City of Penticton and the RDO’S has advised it’s citizens to plan for the worst. I have seen how quickly a fire can turn and with 40-50 km winds, the risk of breaching the East Penticton Evacuation alert zone is increasingly becoming a reality.

We are currently awaiting an update on the City website for further instructions. Our street is not on alert, yet, however surrounding buildings, specifically the Hospital and the SPCA have begun evacuating and diverting their most vulnerable. Emergency crews can be seen all over the city preparing for structure protection and I can hear the wind howling wildly outside of my home. The surrounding mountains are covered in smoke and Air support is everywhere.

 

Currently we are okay. Marshall and I are inside finishing our lunch and I have put together the beginnings of an Evac. Kit. I will wait for further updates to complete it.

It is possible nothing will transpire, but, this is the closest I have been to a fire of this size. I reach out to all of the people in my community with prayers of support.

 

Signing off until further updates.

 

Simon