Yellowknife has been evacuated, only about 1200 people remain behind .

[jimintoronto]

AS of this morning August the 20th, the town of Yellowknife has been safely evacuated, including all of the patients from the hospital and three senior's homes. A half mile wide fire break has been made using construction equipment, that forms a semi circle around the west side of the suburban area of the town. RCMP report that there is " no truth " to rumors of looting, at all. In southern British Columbia the towns of Kelowna, and West Kelowna are under evacuation orders on a 30 minute schedule. The Kelowna fire increased in size over night by a factor of 100 percent, due to strong winds from the west.

The Premier of B.C. ( think of him as a State Governor ) has said that "we need the tourists that are in B.C to GO HOME, so the people who have been evacuated have some place TO SLEEP. He also said that "we don't need any more Tourists coming here, stay HOME, please ".

The Prime Minister came yesterday, met with Provincial Government and Territorial leaders, and made a brief press announcement. He then got out of the way, and flew back to Ottawa. The right move from the PM, for once. Ottawa can release millions in emergency aid funds as soon as today. Private Canadian groups like Universal Medic, which normally gives equipment and food to foreign nations, has shifted their focus to western Canada's fire situation. UM has sent 4 emergency water pumps mounted on Ford pick up trucks by rail to Vancouver today. UM has also sent 250 self contained water purification units in a 40 foot sea container, by truck from Toronto, to arrive in 3 days in B.C.

JImB.

 

[JustDave]

I hope the fire break holds. flying embers can fly long distances. I'm happy that people who want to be safe were able to get out. But I'm worried that this massive fire situation is just the beginning of what is to come while the planet warms and dries out.

 

[hollydolly]

OMG... I hope everyone is safe. I have friends in Kelowna BC..haven't heard from them in a long time.. so I hope if they're still there , that they are safe too

 

[jimintoronto]

The latest from the Premier of British Columbia, today.

link. MSN

Travel bans so that those who don't live there will be forced to leave, and GO HOME. RCMP will be setting up one way traffic blocks, to funnel "non essential traffic " away from the evacuation areas. A word to our American friends.......Stay home. JimB.

 

[Myrtle]

It should be common sense for tourists to stay away or leave if they are already there. I wonder if these are dare devil types who thrive on getting as close as they can to tragedies for the adventure. Kick them out.

Unfortunately, the time spent making them leave is taking away time and personnel that need to be fighting the fires and taking care of refugees.

 

[WhatInThe]

Half mile wide sounds big but it's the winds that make these fires dangerous spreading and intensifying them. The fact they completed a fire breaks sounds like good news because they said they were unable to complete them in other areas.

Heres hoping for a good outcome

 

[Jules]

A word to our American friends.......Stay home. JimB.

A totally unfair statement. Americans are a very minimal part of the problem. It’s mostly our fellow BC citizens and those from the neighbouring province of Alberta. Anyone who lives here recognizes the license plates that travel through here regularly.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

It's good to know that the residents were safely evacuated. I wonder if travelers who booked their trips but hadn't flown (or driven) there yet will get refunds due to the circumstances. Hopefully those already there will honor the Premier's request.