Rock Creek / Kettle River Camp fire

[gbaglo]

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.

 

[JabberwockJazzy]

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]

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!!

 

[Donna D.]

OH MY. Everyone stay safe. Things can be replaced.....

 

[gabeck]

That's awful .....and scary .....hope it ends better than what it sounds like now ....

 

[amirie]

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....

 

[gbaglo]

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.

 

[LeonW]

. 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

 

[Greg A]

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.

 

[gbaglo]

Here is link to CBC story.

B.C. fires: Aggressive wildfire raging near Rock Creek forces evacuations - British Columbia - CBC News

 

[Dave Walter]

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.

 

[Karen H.]

I'm betting they didn't have a choice by that time.

 

[JabberwockJazzy]

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.

 

[gbaglo]

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.

 

[barry-ESC]

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.

 

[Brian B-P]

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

 

[J Mac]

My God. My God.
I was just there.

 

[Patandlinda]

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

 

[gbaglo]

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.

 

[LarryandLiz]

? Would the typical trailer insurance policy cover losses due to a forest fire.

I'll have to dig out our policy.