BC Declares State of Emergency

[rage2]

Make sure to check drivebc regularly. If you have a co-driver, check every hour or so for updates. Shit changes so fast in BC highways and closures/accidents are announced quickly. You'd be surprised at how often highway 1 gets closed off in both directions. Checking early gives you ample opportunity to find detours.

[Sugarphreak]

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[mr2mike]

Confident that Okanagan lake level is still too high to boat in and I'd imagine lots of debris hidden below the surface. I wouldn't risk any water sports behind a boat. Sadly, this summer is a write off for BC visiting.

Vernon airport webcam. Looking pretty hazy and no fires really in the Vernon area.
http://www.metcam.navcanada.ca/hb/pl...p?id=72&lang=e

[sabad66]

In kelowna now. Drive was OK besides construction delays but it's definitely hazy with a noticeable "campfire" smell. Apparently the smoke just rolled in yesterday so I imagine it will get worse before it gets better

[Rocket1k78]

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In kelowna now. Drive was OK besides construction delays but it's definitely hazy with a noticeable "campfire" smell. Apparently the smoke just rolled in yesterday so I imagine it will get worse before it gets better

Fuck! i was going to ask if anyone was in kelowna to report what it was like there. Were going there in 2 weeks so its looking like we might have to cancel

[Sugarphreak]

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[asp integra]

My Dad is in Vernon and said its smokey, but barely noticeable. He couldn't see across to the top of the mountain on the other side of the lake but even with the smoke had no problems breathing. Said it has a slight campfire smell.

[Kloubek]

Drove back from Kamloops yesterday and arrived around dinner time.

Monday wasn't too bad, but the smoke started coming back in during the evening hours and was in full effect yesterday morning. Lots of smoke and my family were all huffing on their inhalers. (Medicated) On the drive back the smoke had become noticeable all the way to around Banff where it then finally cleared up. So pretty much the entire drive back was smokey.

I think the situation is pretty fluid right now. With more fires starting and wind shifts, you can go from perfectly clear to better-stay-indoors in a few hours.

[kenny]

It seems a bit less smoky today in Kelowna/Vernon. I was checking these cams a couple days ago and the smoke was much worse.

https://www.castanet.net/scenic-web-cams/

Glad I went when I did, there was nothing in the air when I was there last week.

[Marsh]

Was supposed to go to Kelowna this weekend for a bachelor party, ended up cancelling the trip. Better to be safe, it is impossible to predict which way fires might spread.

[blownz]

I have a house boat rented for July 22 to 28... I hope things aren't too bad there at that time...

Two years ago I was in Christina Lake and Osoyoos in August for two weeks during the bad fires. Drove through Rock Creek right after the fire went through. It was brutal. Camping with a red sky in the background was not fun. We stayed only because we were on the lake, but after seeing the fire last year in Fort McMurray, we should have just left.

[lasimmon]

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I have a house boat rented for July 22 to 28... I hope things aren't too bad there at that time...

Two years ago I was in Christina Lake and Osoyoos in August for two weeks during the bad fires. Drove through Rock Creek right after the fire went through. It was brutal. Camping with a red sky in the background was not fun. We stayed only because we were on the lake, but after seeing the fire last year in Fort McMurray, we should have just left.

Yah we have a houseboat rented for the 20th... Hopefully the Schuswap isn't too bad.

[rage2]

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Yah we have a houseboat rented for the 20th... Hopefully the Schuswap isn't too bad.

Live image west side of Schuswap:



Just depends on the day/wind etc. Yesterday was brutal. Today you can see the sun. I'm driving out there for a couple of weeks, and making some work trips out of Kamloops as well. Airport has been fine so far, hoping no flight delays by the time I'm out there.

[sabad66]

Yesterday was much worse than Monday but it cleared up nicely today.

[ExtraSlow]

if anyone wants to see the current smoke dispersion modelling:
http://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/viewer...WC-01/current/

[asp integra]

I think if you had planned on going you should still head out that way. Some days might be smokier than others, but at least you're at the lake! Depending on the wind you will still end up with some beautiful days. Even Calgary was smokey yesterday.

[reiRei]

Kelowna not so smoky today - looking out of my office window and it's pretty nice out.

Like previous posters have mentioned - the situation is pretty fluid and so far none of the fires are super close to the Kelowna area (but that all could change in a moment).

The lake level has gone down quite a bit, but they are still enforcing that when you're on the water that you "make no wake"

[blownz]

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Yah we have a houseboat rented for the 20th... Hopefully the Schuswap isn't too bad.

Nice. Party or relax? Who did you rent with? I have a 56 foot booked with Waterways. With kids so this is a relax trip.

[lasimmon]

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Nice. Party or relax? Who did you rent with? I have a 56 foot booked with Waterways. With kids so this is a relax trip.

bachelor party.. Big ol 24 person boat. Twin Anchors this go around.

[Sugarphreak]

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