Don’t be complacent with fires

By this time last summer, wildfires had already forced 16,000 people from their homes across B.C. and scorched 1,100 square kilometres of land.

In this region alone, about 230 people had been evacuated in Kaleden as a result of a short-lived fire there, while 500 more were out in Princeton due to a behemoth 2,700 hectare blaze that burned for weeks. A handful of homes were lost as a result.

The Lake Country area was just a week away from a fire there that forced the evacuation of 60 properties and razed eight homes. And, the Joe Rich fire, east of Kelowna, chased a lot of people from their homes.

Large centres, like Kelowna and Penticton, may have been on the periphery of the flames, but also played an important role by welcoming evacuees at emergency operations centres.

To say we’ve dodged a bullet so far this year is an understatement. Perhaps the late arrival of summer-like temperatures has something to do with it, but we can no longer rely on Mother Nature to keep a wet blanket over us.

The forecast calls for nothing but sunny skies and sweltering heat for the foreseeable future, meaning the fire danger rating is also set to rise.

As of Sunday, it was rated at high in Penticton, but extreme in West Kelowna, by the BC Wildfire Service.

It seems like only a matter of time before the hazy days of summer will be upon us, so plan now to be ready in case of emergency.

That means preparing in advance to flee at a moment’s notice by having medications, important papers, pet supplies, phone chargers and other valuables ready to go.

Unfortunately, residents of the Okanagan have become all too familiar with fires and evacuation orders.

Please don’t let that sense of routine lull you into complacency.