Forest fires again

[selkab]

Dejavu. It is like it is happening all over again. FIRE

In just 10 days past the 4 year anniversary of the Slave Lake fire it is all coming back to me again.

There are 2 forest fires burning near our town and about 6 in our area. Lots of bad memories of May 15 2011 coming back to the surface.

One of the fires is right across the road from my Son’s place (23 KM from town)

It started from a dry lightning strike. Stephen saw the smoke plume and went inside and called 310-fire. By the time he came back outside the fire was 10 hectors in size.

My son and his family were evacuated to town along with all the people in a 15 KM radius from his place. Stephen’s place is right in the middle of it all.

They bought their camping trailer to town and are staying in it for now, the kids are in my house in their room.

By supper time the fire was 200 hectors. The water bombers had been flying steady at the rate of 2 every five minutes. (They shut down at 9:30PM as it gets too dark to scoop water out of the lake) As well as 30 pieces of heavy equipment were on the ground building fire guards. (Ground crews typically work through the night.

By 8:00 PM the fire was classified as still being out of control but being held.

So far no structures have been lost to the fire or to the fire fighting activities.

I am awaiting the reports to start coming in, in about an hours time.

Please pray that the get this put out ASAP.

Kimberley

[shabbird]

so sorry to hear what is happening selkab. Hope its under control soon :-(

[selkab]

The fire across the road from my son's house and shop. And a water bomber scooping water off of Lesser Slave Lake. (Northern Alberta, Canada)

[selkab]

My son, Stephen's, Driveway and the fire when he first reported it.

[shabbird]

wow that is very close. hope the damage is minimal. :-(

[selkab]

Municipal District of Lesser Slave River #124
7 mins ·
UPDATE AT 1:40 PM. The wildfire that is burning 25 km east of Slave Lake at km 33 along the Old Smith Hwy at this time continues to be classified as being held.
Airtankers have laid retardant lines around the entire wildfire. Firefighters, airtankers and water bombers are actively fighting the wildfire at this time.
Tankers are now returning from the fire in order to refuel. Forest service will reassess the continued need for tankers at this time. Fire crews are closely watching fire behaviour to determine when evacuees can safely return to their homes.

[suesjools]

Oh wow, that is horrible. My neighbor's house caught fire a few days ago and it was an awful mess, considering how much larger this is, I would be worried to death. Glad it's contained, hope it's out soon.

Best wishes for many sales to all

[selkab]

The forest fire by Stephen's house is out, the Evacuation order has been lifted and Stephen, Sharie, The Kids and Mudflap have had supper and are on their way home.

[suesjools]

That's excellent news, glad to hear it.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[FirstGreenIsGold]

Kim, I am so glad that things are better than they were. Absolutely terrifying. The province could sure use some rain. Hope we get it soon, and without the lightning.