Seeing the fire disaster up close

Kamloops is in a valley surrounded by high grassy hills and sparse evergreen, with the North Thompson flowing through the west side. Strawberry Hill is across the river at the home of my son, Bruce, where I’ve been visiting for several days.
Where green grass once grew and cattle grazed is now burned and black. Hot spots have been igniting at night like lights on a Christmas tree.
Streaks of red retardant are still showing, and helicopters and planes have been buzzing for a week.
This fire was estimated at 4,231 hectares, with 20 pieces of heavy equipment, three-five helicopters, and 185 personnel battling it as of Aug. 6.
Usually, August brings showers and lightning (one night, a few sprinkles of rain resulted in 30 lightning strikes). At times, we can’t see across the valley for the smoke.
It is estimated that 2,000 firefighters are in the area.
Meanwhile, the McLure fire has consumed more than 8,000 hectares. In Louis Creek, it’s so black, it’s been compared to a war zone. And in Barriere, the industrial park was destroyed with four businesses as was a lumber mill.
In Kamloops, volunteers immediately went to work. People offered their homes to the displaced. Thirty volunteers worked a full day unloading nine tractor-trailers of donated goods, blankets, clothing pillows, toys, etc.
George Evans organized “The North Thompson Relief Fund.” Donations of money started pouring in towards housing, food, transportation, and trade tools.
The goal is $1 million—and it’s halfway there!
The generosity of the community is amazing. Barriere Emergency Social Services went to work. We saw evacuees shopping with Wal-Mart vouchers for a change of clothing and shoes.
Local businesses and large corporations, including General Motors, Chrysler, and many more, also are donating.
The cattle were rounded up and moved from the hills to the valley, and the horses to the Kamloops Exhibition Grounds.
People want to return to their homes, but services (such as hydro, phone, and water) are still being repaired.
Out of three major fires with 70 homes burned, fortunately there was no loss of life and no looting.