British Columbia, Okanogan Valley Fires, smoke, delays

[BobsYourUncle]

For anyone with travel plans or reservations in the South Okanogan area, it would be prudent to check conditions, possible road and CG closures.

There are a number of brush fires raging. Especially affected is between Kelowna and Penticton, and it's really bad around Peachland to Summerland.

A lot of the fires are burning right beside Hwy 97. Last I heard the Okanogan Lake Provincial CG was closed, evacuated due to fire.

There have been lengthy travel delays on Hwy 97 from Summerland to Peachland. Some closures, some one lane only travel with police escort.

The smoke is so thick you could cut it with a knife. One of my best friends lives in Summerland. He tells me it's difficult to breathe and it is posing health issues with himself.

Use caution and check ahead everyone.
Safe travels.

[blofgren]

BobsYourUncle wrote:
Hi Don
Yeah ouch, big ouch!

Sitting in a nice CG here, wandering through Kijiji and others trying to figure if I should sell it broken and look for something newer, or fix it or what? Trying to establish the value of it whole and running. Tough thing, 374,000 K on it.
7 to 9K to fix it is a little heavy for me.

I'm sorry to hear that; having that kind of trouble on the road really sucks.

Do you know if it is just a head gasket or is the engine toast? It may be an idea to get it to a good diesel shop in a larger centre to ensure you have a proper diagnosis before making a decision. If the rest of the truck is in good condition I would be tempted to fix it.

[BobsYourUncle]

Hi Don
Yeah ouch, big ouch!

Sitting in a nice CG here, wandering through Kijiji and others trying to figure if I should sell it broken and look for something newer, or fix it or what? Trying to establish the value of it whole and running. Tough thing, 374,000 K on it.
7 to 9K to fix it is a little heavy for me.

[pianotuna]

BobsYourUncle,

Ouch!

At least Revelstoke has some interesting things.

[BobsYourUncle]

Well, we never made it.
Left yesterday morning, got halfway over the Rogers Pass and blew the engine in the truck. Blew a hose on the back, took out a head gasket.
658 bucks later got the truck and TT towed into Revelstoke.
Managed to find a spot at a local CG and here we sit.....

Really smoky here but they are calling for some rainfall. Hope it slows the fires down.

[gmckenzie]

BobsYourUncle wrote:

KO wrote:
Can barely see the mountains here in Banff. Lake Louise area is clear of smoke as of Wednesday 8 Aug.

That's good to know thanks.
We are leaving in about an hour for Vancouver Island. Will be going through Banff in about 3 hours from now.
Taking the Coke, not going through the Okanogan.
Hopefully not too much smoke on the way.
Temperatures will be high today.

Lots of smoke even through Kamloops right now, so expect a smoky and hot drive.

[BobsYourUncle]

KO wrote:
Can barely see the mountains here in Banff. Lake Louise area is clear of smoke as of Wednesday 8 Aug.

That's good to know thanks.
We are leaving in about an hour for Vancouver Island. Will be going through Banff in about 3 hours from now.
Taking the Coke, not going through the Okanogan.
Hopefully not too much smoke on the way.
Temperatures will be high today.

[KO]

Can barely see the mountains here in Banff. Lake Louise area is clear of smoke as of Wednesday 8 Aug.

[crosscheck]

No smoke here in Coldstream, 100 km,s north of Sumerland in the north Okanagan Valley.

Dave

[profdant139]

This interactive map shows real-time smoke plumes. The site is a little balky, but the info is great:

Fire and smoke map

[pianotuna]

Highway 93 closed between Radium Hotsprings and Alberta Border. 2018 08 02

[gmckenzie]

2oldman wrote:
Every darn year.

Yup. Getting to be a common thing here. Sky is surprisingly clear these days though. Not as smoky as prior years.

[ssthrd]

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/wildfire-situation
www.drivebc.ca
lots of good info.

[pianotuna]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the heads up.

[2oldman]

Every darn year.

[BobsYourUncle]

Hmmmm, I wonder if I should have put this in Roads and Routes...