topic Re: Fires in Canada in Community Chat

Fires in Canada

Kachina624 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 02:58:58 GMT

@ On It. Did you hear about the devastating wildland fires today in Jasper, Alberta? Ever been there? Reminded me of Ruidoso somewhat. Cute as it could be with buildings in the business district built in the European style, sort of Swiss-looking. Since it's in Canada, everything was clean, neat as a pin. Lots of damage in the town and forests around there. It's North of Banff National Park, truly God's country. There's both a town and National Park called Jasper.

Canada has no planes to drop supressant; they just do water drops. Videos online look awful, just like Ruidoso and equally sad.

We're getting terrible smoke from these fires even in Albuquerque. I've been sneezing and coughing for 3 days. Are things smokey-looking in Ruidoso?

Fires in many places in Northern Hemisphere right now.

Re: Fires in Canada

ROMARY — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 03:25:12 GMT

Wishing safety to all of the people, pets, wildlife, homes, buildings, forests.

I believe there were other fires in Canada for quite some time. Hopefully those have been extinguished by now.

Re: Fires in Canada

On It — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 03:34:27 GMT

@Kachina624 Someone mentioned the Jasper fire. They said it was a favorite place of theirs, just as Ruidoso. The fires in California are contributing to the smoke, too. There are hazy skies here. It is so sad to see these beautiful areas destroyed.

Re: Fires in Canada

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:52:47 GMT

@Kachina624 @On It The last report I heard from Jasper was that no one was permitted in the area but firefighters with breathing apparatus. Even some firefighters were evacuated. The focus now is to save critical infrastructure.

There are currently 400 fires in BC. Some of them have been burning all year. There are 173 in Alberta.

Re: Fires in Canada

meallen616 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 09:56:25 GMT

Re: Fires in Canada

We rescue cats — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:06:45 GMT

It is just awful, such a a beautiful area. I was reading about an 82 year old woman that escaped her home with her 13 cats and a dog who has lost her B&B. So many stories of loss.

Re: Fires in Canada

millieshops — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:53:04 GMT

@Kachina624 I've lived through hurricanes for decades now, so I've been aware of nature's scary powers, but until the past 3 or 4 years as we've seen more intense fires, floods, and tornados far from the coasts across the world have I realized how pervasive climate change has become.

I was in Jasper in the early 1970's and it was pristine, beautiful and interesting. So sad to watch now.

Same with Ruidioso where I actually know someone who had to evacuate. Their home survived, and they are grateful to be among those whose losses are temporary comfort.

Re: Fires in Canada

PamfromCT — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 13:03:58 GMT

Praying for the safety of all. What a horror show this all is.

Re: Fires in Canada

SilleeMee — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:20:15 GMT

Canadian fires have been an ongoing thing for many years, since the early '90s. The smoke plumes spread south and for the last week, here in Colorado, we've had to deal with air quality issues. AQI numbers reaching well above 100 for days. We might get a break today they are saying.

Re: Fires in Canada

Kachina624 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:30:34 GMT

@SilleeMee. Same here. We get smoke from various fire often during the summer but this us the first time it has actually bothered me.

Canadians on Facebook were having a fit that the government hasn't taken any action to prevent these fires.

Re: Fires in Canada

Kachina624 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:49:52 GMT

@Lilysmom1 wrote:
@Kachina624 @On It The last report I heard from Jasper was that no one was permitted in the area but firefighters with breathing apparatus. Even some firefighters were evacuated. The focus now is to save critical infrastructure.

There are currently 400 fires in BC. Some of them have been burning all year. There are 173 in Alberta.

@Lilysmom1. The Canadians posting on Facebook yesterday (lots of them) were having a fit that the government has done nothing about the fires. Apparently they don't even have access to planes dropping fire suppressant.

The loss of Jasper makes me sick, just like the mess in Ruidoso has done.

Re: Fires in Canada

SilleeMee — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 16:38:59 GMT

@Kachina624

I dragged out my air purifier which I usually don't run until winter when all of my windows are shut. But with all of the smoke we've been having during each and every summer, I think I'll just run it all yearlong. It does seem to help me. That and some extra eye drops.

Re: Fires in

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 19:41:44 GMT

@Kachina624 I believe the fire is so intense air traffic has been banned so that must be affecting the fire suppressant drops. Two huge fires merged into one. 36,000 hectares was the number I last heard.

As you will remember, my brother lives in Kamloops in the interior of BC where the wildfires have been out of control for some time. Some of them burn all year. These are in unpopulated areas.

One complaint I have heard is that the forests were decimated by pine beetles and there was a lot of deadwood adding fuel to the fire. Those comments were aimed at the Feds. Federal election around the corner (2025) so some posturing going on.

The details are sparse. More will come out in the next few days.

Of course Jasper is a national treasure so emotions are running high.

All of these big environmental events (fire, floods, etc) are devastating to the local communities in both of our countries. We saw it here in Nova Scotia last year. I am praying for all affected.

Re: Fires in

Kachina624 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 20:14:13 GMT

@Lilysmom1

Federal election around the corner (2025) so some posturing going on.

How well we know!!!

Our biggest fire ever happened 3 years ago when 2 fires merged as the result of a controlled burn by the US Forest Service. The lawsuits may go on forever.

Re: Fires in

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 20:39:41 GMT

@Kachina624 Latest is 1/3 of the town of Jasper has some or total damage. Good news is ciritical infrastructure (schools, hospitals, etc) are ok. So, 2/3rds are ok. Complaints coming about why a fire break around the perimeter of the town wasn't in place.

Crews from across Canada and abroad are helping out. The army has been called in to assist.

BC still has more than 400 fires. My brother comes home every summer to get away from the poor air quality.

Re: Fires in Canada

PamfromCT — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 11:33:25 GMT

Along with all those affected by the fires, people and wildlife, too, God bless the fire fighters who risk their lives. They put their lives on the line, which is their job and a special calling.

I have a great affinity with them. My mother's cousin's grandson, born, raised, and educated in Massachusetts, decided fighting large fires would be his vocation in life. He did spend a good amount of time pursuing his vocation in the.western US, but lost his life in a terrible training accident. Roughly ten or eleven years ago. Mark Urban is listed as one of the fallen. He was a brave young man, and I will forever be proud of him.