Smoky BC Fires
This week we've been blanketed in smoke from several of the forest fires blazing in British Columbia. We've been lucky here in Powell River. No man or nature made forest fires, but with our tinder dry conditions we have to be extremely careful.
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| Goat Island gets hazy by noon on July 5. |
On Saturday night, Wayne and I went out in the boat after sunset to see if there was any aurora activity in the northern sky. All we could see was a dark band on the horizon that we though were clouds.
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| Goat Island disappeared by 3:00 p.m. |
We awoke on Sunday to a blood red sun and hazy smoke starting to obscure the sky. It got progressively worse until we could no longer see Goat Island a little under a kilometre away. It was hard to breathe and there was falling ash.
Sunday was the worst, and flights into and out of the Powell River Airport had to be cancelled. Monday was a little better, and each day has improved as they've gotten the fires under control.But it still reminds me of the worst smog days when I was growing up in Los Angeles. Not a fond memory. -- Margy
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Glad you guys are ok.
ReplyDeleteLots of fires everywhere.
We are lucky to have beautiful forests and rangeland lets keep it that way.
MB
We got smoke from nearby fires, but the worst came over the mountains from Pemberton. I guess you guys got some of that smoke as well down the Fraser Valley. - Margy
DeleteSunday was horrible here in Comox too - a bit like a zombie apocalypse. Today we woke up to what is apparently the worst air quality in the whole province = yuck. I hate to say it but with what is going on I can't wait until we get some winter rains!
ReplyDeleteWe took our boat up to Heriot Bay on Quadra but there was still plenty of smoke up there, just not as thick. Hope the rains do come this weekend, but they sounded pretty light if they do. - Margy
DeleteThat must have been very scary.
ReplyDeleteIt is, everything is so dry from a winter with minimal snow and no heavy rain for more than two months. Many places are declaring drought conditions already. - Margy
DeleteWhile it made for some interesting shots, how disturbing it must be. Hopefully, things will improve quickly!
ReplyDeleteThe red sun was the most scary, but hard to capture in my camera. - Margy
Deleteit was bad here too. My throat has been sore the last few days. We are praying for rain.
ReplyDeleteI have a bad cough lingering from a cold. I'm sure the smoke isn't helping. - Margy
DeleteWe had a lot of smoke over our desert skies recently from wildfires. Stay safe, and glad things are clearing up!
ReplyDeleteWe had some smoke down here in NW WA from the BC fires - but nothing close to what you had up there. There were two smaller fires on the other side of Lake Whatcom that we had smoke from for a couple days - but those have been contained. I'll be glad when all the fires are safely out.
ReplyDeleteIt could be a very bad year. It's so early for fires right now. - Margy
DeleteI've never been near a forest fire so I can only imagine how bad the smoke is. Hope it rains soon.
ReplyDeleteThe smoke gives the same effect as a morning mist. I would call it gorgeous if the fires weren't such a terrible thing.
ReplyDeleteEven with that smoky haze the place looks inviting. Best not to breathe in for a while? I hope it clears for you soon and that everyone stays safe.
ReplyDeleteWe've also had some spectacular sunsets over the Seattle area as result of your fires. Hope they get them controlled and that you stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThanks all for stopping by to comment on my Skywatch post. There is some beauty in the sky colours, but the smoke and damage far outweigh it. - Margy
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