Wildfire Memorial 8

Wildfire Memorial

City Centre
Landmarks & Scenery

465 Victoria St, Kamloops, BC V2C 2A9, Canada
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The McLure fire started July 30 by a discarded cigarette near Highway 5. With no rain in more than six weeks, the pine needles were extremely brittle and dry, allowing the flames to travel quickly.

Due to the amount of smoke generated by the blaze, at times it was very difficult for fire crews to determine the fire’s actual size. Highway 5 was closed to all but emergency personnel as up to 1,000 fire fighters struggled to contain the blaze.

To help facilitate the evacuation of residents in the surrounding area, the McLure Ferry ran 24 hours a day for three weeks. Hundreds of power poles burned, leaving towns as far away as McBride without full power for weeks.
Phones were dead and then intermittent for many days. Seventeen kilometres of Schedule 2 fencing was completely vapourized.

The concrete box beam bridge over Fishtrap Creek was burned beyond repair. Many homes were completely lost in a matter of minutes as the firestorm exploded up Highway 5 along the North Thompson River.

A small fire on Wednesday evening had turned into a massive inferno by Friday, destroying the Tolko sawmill at Louis Creek and most of the homes in the area. It is a truly devastating sight, seeing the loss of people’s homes and businesses.

The Strawberry Hill fire started in the afternoon of August 1. The fire was only the size of a pickup truck and within five to 10 minutes grew to the size of a football field. The dry sage was no rival for the fierce fires.

This large “second fire” occurred along Highway 5 near Kamloops, placing many homes, ranches and grazing areas in the precarious position of being between the fires. Evacuation orders were issued almost immediately by the RCMP on bullhorns announcing: “The fire is here now! You must leave now!”

Both Ministry of Transportation staff and Argo staff were evacuated, and the District Manager, being one of the evacuees, spent the night in the district parking lot. This event caused the immediate evacuation of residents in and around the Raleigh and Heffley Creek area.

The fires came within 150 feet of people’s homes. Not only were people affected, but the impact on the wildlife was staggering.

Activity Stream

Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 4:20 pm - David Suzuki posted on their blog: More than an energy shift, we need a paradigm shift
Tue, May 30, 2023 at 3:04 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Now Hiring! – The Kamloops Film Society
Tue, May 30, 2023 at 8:43 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Painted Bluffs Hike – Kamloops Trails
Thu, May 25, 2023 at 6:31 pm - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Clean energy transition sparks nuclear reaction
Tue, May 23, 2023 at 8:52 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Hiking the Greenstone Trails – Kamloops Trails
Sat, May 20, 2023 at 8:52 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Jag Dewdrop Trolls – Kamloops Trails
Wed, May 17, 2023 at 12:29 pm - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Asian Heritage Month reminds us that diversity is strength
Wed, May 17, 2023 at 8:52 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Mara Northeast – Kamloops Trails
Sun, May 14, 2023 at 8:58 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Hike to Island Lake with a Folding Kayak
Thu, May 11, 2023 at 6:40 pm - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Emissions inventory shows Canada must rein in oil and gas
Full Stream

 

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