First I'd like to take a moment to slam CNN. On the one hand we have a supposedly international cable news network that purports to cover breaking news from around the world. On the other hand we have a city of 100K people, in the US' largest trading partner, that is in dire threat of being completely burned to the ground by an out of control class 6 forest fire, where 1/3 of the population had to be evacuated and where at last count 248 homes had already been incinerated. Did CNN pay any attention to this tragedy? No, not so much as a passing comment. Did Canada not react with compassion, sympathy and help after the horror of 9/11? Did our media ignore that tragedy or other natural tragedies like hurricanes in the US and the havoc wreaked on communties by those natural disasters. No, we haven't and we don't. Apparantly it just isn't news when it happens in Canada.

Things have improved in Kelowna over the past couple of days due to cool nights and the lack of high winds. They almost have the main fire under control. If the winds stay down then they will be able to continue creating firebreaks and back burning to remove fuel. This is so necessary. Friday night as the main fire came rolling over the last hills into the first subdivision it was travelling about 5km (3 mi) an hour and the wall of flames was 120m (400ft) high. Houses in its path didn't burn they exploded as the gases released by the fire, from the trees, bushes etc - moved in advance of the fire and superheated the structures. When the flames reached the gasses would ignite and the structures explode. There are no words to describe the bravery of the firefighters who stood their ground and fought to sabe homes. For every one they lost they saved two. That is real bravery, real courage.

If the weather holds, or brings rain (without lightening) they should be able to bring this fire under control without losing more homes. If the weather takes a turn for the worse before they can finish the backburning then the fire can easily once more jump the fire lines and threaten the entire city. I'm sure CNN will still not cover it, unless of course some stupid american tourist tries to get too close to the fire to take pictures and gets himself and his family killed. Then of course CNN will cover it (and still get all the facts wrong).

If you are interested in this tragedy you can track it at http://www.castanet.net

If you want to help the people in Kelowna and the other BC communities that have been devastated by fire this year - one community of some 60 residences and businesses was burned to te ground in another fire - you can donated through these organizations - remember to specify it is for BC Forest Fire relief:

Canadian Red Cross -

Acromedia