Rock Creek / Kettle River Camp fire - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Me | General Topics > General Escape
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-13-2015, 06:54 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Rock Creek / Kettle River Camp fire

My buddy and his wife have abandoned their 19' Escape and 2015 Toyota Highlander at the Kettle River Provincial Park and are currently being bussed with other camper/evacuees to Midway. Fire is 350 hectares and zero per cent contained.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_1236.JPG   FullSizeRender.jpg  
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 07:01 PM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: x, British Columbia
Trailer: Previous 2015 15 ft & 2016 19 ft now 2021 19 ft
Posts: 53
We left our 15 ft. Escape at the Kettle River campground to take a run over to Greenwood for a few hours. We saw the fire just starting as we approached Rock Creek so we turned back and hooked up the Escape and headed for Kelowna, but not before we told the host at the Kettle River campground there was a new fire just started nearby and maybe they should consider letting everyone in the campground aware. He didn't seem too concerned. We saw a 17 ft and a 19 ft Escape trailer at the campground as well.
JabberwockJazzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 07:13 PM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: x, British Columbia
Trailer: Previous 2015 15 ft & 2016 19 ft now 2021 19 ft
Posts: 53
The winds were so strong when we were at the campground and we are not surprised that the fire has grown to 350 hectares. We hope all the campers and fellow escapees are safe and sound. We are now booked into a hotel in Kelowna. My husband went with his gut and decided to leave the campground right away. Good thing!!
JabberwockJazzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 07:21 PM   #4
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
OH MY. Everyone stay safe. Things can be replaced.....
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 07:27 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
gabeck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2012 Escape 15 A
Posts: 1,505
That's awful .....and scary .....hope it ends better than what it sounds like now ....
__________________
All things in life are easier to swallow with a good cup of tea .....
gabeck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 08:32 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
amirie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 17B Escape
Posts: 766
Unhappy

Yikes---I was wondering if any of our group were there...Hope it doesn't hit the campground as I know they have done a lot of improvements there the past few years, we have never stayed there but a fellow from work heads up there every year...(I think he is probably home by now---hope so anyway...)

Sure been a wicked time for fires this summer---a lot human caused which is really sad....
__________________
Anna-Marie
amirie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 08:47 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
My buddy's family and mine were ordered out of the same campground about nine years ago due to a lightening strike in the group camping area. It was about midnight when we abandoned the tent trailer. I grabbed some pillows, sleeping bags and a case of beer.
There were people trying to hook up their fifth-wheel trailers as we pulled out. Could see the fire growing through the trees alongside the only way out.
This is the second time my buddy has had to flee that camp.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 09:13 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
LeonW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 -- The Skylark. Towed by a 2014 Highlander
Posts: 1,159
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
. I grabbed some pillows, sleeping bags and a case of beer.
Glen,

It it always reassuring to see that you have your priorities set properly...

Leon
LeonW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 09:16 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
Prayers to all involved that your safe. Our Scamp 13 was camped near Flagstaff, AZ last season and a major fire got within 10 miles. It is a scary and unpredictable ordeal.
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 10:01 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Here is link to CBC story.

B.C. fires: Aggressive wildfire raging near Rock Creek forces evacuations - British Columbia - CBC News
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 10:24 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Dave Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
My buddy and his wife have abandoned their 19' Escape and 2015 Toyota Highlander at the Kettle River Provincial Park and are currently being bussed with other camper/evacuees to Midway. Fire is 350 hectares and zero per cent contained.
Don't know that I would abandon my truck and Escape in favour of taking a bus. I would have hitched up and left with my rig. I was cut off by a fire once before near Fort McMurray, AB and that time was asked to abandon my rental car. Had no stake in it so did not object. With my own vehicles, I may do things differently.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad

"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
Dave Walter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 10:28 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
KarenH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,051
Send a message via Skype™ to KarenH
I'm betting they didn't have a choice by that time.
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
KarenH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 10:31 PM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: x, British Columbia
Trailer: Previous 2015 15 ft & 2016 19 ft now 2021 19 ft
Posts: 53
We hitched up and took off to Kelowna just in time. We feel so fortunate. We feel so bad for all the other campers. We did talk to the host before we left the campground and warned him of the fire.
JabberwockJazzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 10:39 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
They had no choice. The first text I got from him at 2:53 said "we are on our way out". Second, at 3:30 said "we had to abandon the whole rig and marshal at the river by the bridge".
Heard another camper interviewed on CBC. He drove through the flames on both sides of the access road. He was very emotional, shaken by the experience and worried about those behind him.
They were lucky they could cross the river and walk out.
Last I heard they were on a bus to Midway at 4:35 and his cell battery was dead.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 11:11 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
barry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Fraser Valley, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape "Classic" 5.0 SA
Posts: 554
Global is reporting that propane cylinders have been heard exploding. According to Global, Vicki Gee, regional director for the Kootenay Boundary Regional District says she’s heard reports that the campground and several homes have been destroyed but this is unconfirmed.

Fire is now 750 hectares, doesn't look good for those who had to leave their trailers and possessions behind.
__________________
Photography website: https://bjustice.zenfolio.com

2012 Escape "Classic" 5.0 SA / 2017 F150, 2.7 EcoBoost 4X4 Supercab
Former trailers: 2005 Escape 17B / 1972 Boler 13'
barry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 11:23 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Some relevant links:
Rock Creek and Westbridge evacuated; 750 hectare fire threatens homes | Globalnews.ca

DriveBC Events for Crowsnest Highway (#3) - Osoyoos to Creston
DriveBC map view
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 11:34 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17b
Posts: 1,868
My God. My God.
I was just there.
J Mac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2015, 12:31 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by J Mac View Post
My God. My God.
I was just there.
So sorry to see this happening . Hope everyone is safe . It looks very scary and puts what is important in perspective . Pat and Linda
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2015, 12:45 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Something to think about.
I got first message from my buddy about pulling out at 2:53 and another that they were out and being taken to Midway at 3:30. His cell battery was dying. I've sent a couple texts and haven't heard back by 10:45 pm. I would assume his charger is in the trailer, back at the camp, or that cell towers in the area are down.
This is only a fire in a fairly unpopulated area of BC. Imagine the big quake in a populated area like Vancouver.
We really do need to be prepared, as best we can be.

This is campers at the river edge before they walked out to safety.
Attached Thumbnails
Kettle.jpg  
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2015, 08:23 AM   #20
Senior Member
 
LarryandLiz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Maple Ridge, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 17B;2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4
Posts: 701
? Would the typical trailer insurance policy cover losses due to a forest fire.

I'll have to dig out our policy.
LarryandLiz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:24 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.