EVACUATION ORDER CANCELLED SUNDAY AUGUST 30TH 2015 0945

The City of Grand Forks is the site of an equipment preparation centre for  wild fire fighting equipment. There are  fires in Washington state that seem to be headed north.

http://www.grandforks.ca/

Amateur Radio  involved with this fire. For the story go to

http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-volunteers-face-fire-threat-while-supporting-emergency-communication

UPDATED Sunday, August 30, 2015 at 8:20 AM

5 KM south of the U.S/Canada border

20% contained
Fixed wing airtankers will only be used if there are achievable objectives to support ground crews. Crews have been making great progress towards constructing guard and tying into existing roadways. The smoky conditions may still limit aircraft and ground crew operations over the next several days. The smoke has been drifting in from several large fires in Washington State.

In the event that the BC Wildfire Service provides air support to this fire, it is likely that Christina Lake would be used as a water source for amphibious skimmer aircraft. Boaters can help with suppression efforts by immediately proceeding to the nearest shore if they see a plane approaching the water.

BC Wildfire Service crews were working on the west flank of the fire yesterday, but were moved to Grand Forks due to the potential for erratic winds to create hazardous fire behaviour. They joined the Structure Protection Units in Grand Forks to assist in the event of an interface fire.

Radio Amateurs have been active in responding to the consequences of Tropical Storm Erika as it progressed through their region

The Radio Club of Dominica were active on 7.065MHz, 3.780MHz and local repeaters working with their Nation’s Emergency Operations Centre, Civil Defence and theDominican Red Cross collecting reports from their members around the country. The storm killed 20 people in the Dominican Republic as 200-300mm of rain fell in 12 hours causing flooding and mudslides. Damage assessments are ongoing in the country which was reported to have had widespread power failures.

Although the storm is officially classed as dissipated, fears over the remnants of the storm as it passes over Cuba and then nears Florida on Sunday mean that local emergency groups remain alert and other countries in the Carribean are also ready to respond if needed.

Although band conditions have been poor for the last two days, Radio Amateurs are requested to listen carefully when operating around the pubished Atlantic Hurricane frequencies to ensure that there is no interference to any emergency traffic.

http://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php/emergency-communications/1467-tropical-storm-erika-in-carribean

Two repeaters of the Lake Chelan Amateur Radio club in Washington state have been lost to a wildfire. For the entire story go to

http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-repeaters-fall-victim-to-washington-wildfire

On August 27th  2015 at 2115 HRS Environment Canada issued a weather WARNING for the the south coast of British Columbia  80 to 120 mm of rain is expected this weekend. Due to the extremely dry conditions there is concern for flash floods

http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=bc

The City of Grand Forks is the site of an equipment preparation centre for  wild fire fighting equipment. There are  fires in Washington state that seem to be headed north.

http://www.grandforks.ca/

UPDATED WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26TH 2015 1915 HRS

The US FCC has again come down hard on  amateurs for causing interference. For the story go to

http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-proposes-to-fine-ohio-radio-amateur-for-malicious-interference-failure-to-identify

http://www.radioworld.com/article/lions-tigers-and-ham-oh-my-%E2%80%94-a-k-penalty/276873

Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 11:10 AM

70% contained
Mop up to NE and NW ridge, danger tree assessment and falling to make safe, areas where crews will arrive for mop up. Continue contingency work on east section and work up hose lay from Harris Creek up to the North line between helipads 6 and 7. Equipment operators will complete rehab work and set up barriers. Provide support to operations for slash removal and burn operations.

Pacific Marine Drive has been re-opened between Lake Cowichan and Port Renfrew. However, the public access restriction for areas surrounding the road remains in place. There are “No Stopping” signs posted from the 7 kilometre mark; for three kilometres. The regular posted speed is 60 kilometres per hour. Fire Crews continue to work in the area; for the safety of the public and the crews we ask that you adhere to the posted speed limit and follow instructions posted.

https://wm-s.glb.shawcable.net/service/home/~/v60407%20Information%20Bulletin%20Spring%20Road%20Aug%2025%20-%20PCH%20Open.pdf?auth=co&loc=en&id=354461&part=2

The City of Grand Forks is the site of an equipment preparation centre for  wild fire fighting equipment. There are  fires in Washington state that seem to be headed north.

http://www.grandforks.ca/

UPDATE  Friday Aug 21 2015  0800 The Washington State fire is now closing on Grand Forks and Christina Lake

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/washington-stickpin-fire-closing-in-on-grand-forks-residents-1.3198984?cmp=rss

When you ask why so much info on this site about fires Here are some stats

The Number of Fires until August 17  2015 1,649,            10 year average  1,334

Hectares Burnt  until August 17th 2015       292,545         10 year average   86.454

As this is being written amateur radio operators are deployed and providing communications where needed.

There is no doubt that fire fighters and those involved in fighting the fires deserve our thanks, but there are also a huge number of volunteers behind the scenes that are working hard.  So to EVERYONE  here is a huge  THANK YOU

UPDATED AUGUST 19TH 1800 HRS

The danger of this work has just been demonstrated with the loss of fire fighters in Washington state

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Wildfire-forces-evacuation-of-Twisp-322342801.html?abc=TWc1ccFy

UPDATED   1500  AUGUST 15 2015

EVACUATION Orders have been amended, but still remain in effect for the Wilson Mountain fire

http://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/evacuation-alertorder-oliver-bc-regional-district-of-okanagan-similkameen/