The province has been put on a state of emergency due to the wildfire situation - finally.
Our NDP government's voter base is the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, so the rest of the province can suck eggs as far as they are concerned. Even our PM has toured the fires whereas the Premier hasn't moved his butt out of Victoria.
The smoke is so intense in PG and Quesnel that the street lights come on at 8 pm. People with respiratory problems are advised to stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise. Some are already seeking refuge at the CN Centre in PG which itself is plagued with dense smoke. West Quesnel is on evac alert, people advised to be prepared to leave on short notice.
Williams Lake held their annual shoot last week end and when we left at 9 am, it was almost dark! Living under these conditions is eerie, depressing and gives you the impression of a post-apocalyptic environment.
The temperatures are unseasonably cool due to the high cloud cover as well as the smoke layer. Sunlight barely filters through. this must have an effect on vegetation and the game population as well.
Our range is closed and I suspect that the ranges in PG are as well. The bush is tinder dry to the point where if you listen, you hear crackling as the undergrowth dries and shrinks with the heat.
Mud slides have closed the highway between Ashcroft and Lillooet, the area previously devastated by wildfires last year.
Environmental scientists are warning that this is the "new normal" and we can expect increased weather related phenomena.
In the event of an evac order, I am one of those who will not go out, choosing to stay here with our water pump to save the house. Most along the lake shore feel the same. Looters and thieves would have a picnic otherwise.