Please pray for the safety of our firefighters, air crews, and residents. Please pray that the weather patterns will turn the fire back on itself, that property will be protected and that livestock will be safe. The current weather conditions are such that we need God to directly intervene through directing wind patterns and sending us unexpected and lightning free rain.
A fast-moving blaze east of Kamloops, near the town of Pritchard, forced about 100 people from their homes early Friday morning. The Martin Mountain fire burst from four to 80 hectares overnight and kept on growing to an estimated 690 hectares.
As the fire continued its spread Friday night, residents in an additional 125 Pritchard homes were ordered to evacuate.
Elise Riedlinger, a fire information officer, said the Martin Mountain fire had been smoldering for a few days but high winds took it out of control late Thursday.
"There are residences immediately threatened by this fire," Riedlinger said.
Ninety-five firefighters and five helicopters are currently tackling the blaze.
B.C. Forests Minister Pat Bell issued a news release Friday afternoon warning of high temperatures, low humidity, and lightning.
"We are asking the public to be extremely cautious over the next few days," Bell said.
"There is a high likelihood that we will see new lightning-caused fires arise in the southern portion of the province and that existing fires will begin to exhibit extreme fire behaviour."
We had a fantastic day yesterday. Almost 40 people came together to pray and seek God's blessing on our province during the Throne Speech. This was a significant event because we believe it's the first time the church came together to pray for our province on the grounds of the Legislature in this way. One participant said that she had been praying for 60 years and longed to see the day that this would happen. How exciting for her and us.
I was able to attend the Throne Speech as a guest. It's always a privilege to be there and to reconnect with MLA's who are returning or just beginning their service to our province. Yesterday, I was able to experience a number of firsts, including meeting the Premier in my current role. I did get a picture with him, but 'blinked' so I'll have to wait for another opportunity.
I am very excited about what the Lord has in store for us as we move forward and anticipate some tremendous things happening over the next few months. We have a tremendous sense that God is with us and preparing the hearts of those we seek to serve. Someone described it as 'building and setting a table for them to come enjoy.' I think that's exactly what we are doing.
I am amazed at what God has helped us to accomplish in the past 2 years. This was a giant step forward for us as we move towards fulfilling what God has put in our heart for BC and we are grateful for His help and strength.
You can get a sense of the entire day on the video that we've uploaded to Youtube. Click here to see it.
The Speech From The Throne is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25th. This Speech is particularly significant because it marks the beginning of a new Parlaiment in BC and will outline the government's agenda and vision for the next 4 years.
We feel it's important to mark this day with a special prayer focus. We have planned a PrayBC Prayer Event in Victoria during the Speech. We would like to invite you to join us for this exciting and strategic time of prayer on August 25 from 12:00 - 3:30 PM.
The Prayer Event is non-partisan and not intended to call attention to ourselves. Our only objective is to pray for the well being of our province and those whom God has called and entrusted to lead us.
If you would like to participate with us, please register by clicking here. We will provide a specific schedule and meeting areas to those who register with us. We look forward to seeing you on August 25.
Please forward this information on as you see fit.
NEW EVACUATIONS AT TERRACE MOUNTAIN
New evacuation orders were issued in the Kelowna area Saturday, forcing a total of 2,500 people in the Fintry area out of their homes.
About 1,000 residents in the Muirallen Estates, Fintry Delta, Upper Fintry/Dunwaters Estates, Valley of the Sun and La Casa areas were ordered just before 6 p.m. to leave their homes and head south toward Kelowna along Westside Road, due increased activity from the nearby Terrace Mountain fire.
At about 8:30 p.m., the emergency operations centre issued a second evacuation for 1,500 residents in communities formerly on standby.
Residents in Caesar's Landing, Wilson’s Landing/Trader’s Cove, Nahun, Shelter Cove, and the district lots off South Terrrace Main, as well as residents living on Bear Creek Main to Bear Lake and near Bear Creek Provincial Park, were ordered to evacuate to West Kelowna's emergency centre.
Another 10 properties in the Fintry High Farm area are also on evacuation order.
The centre also warned of a planned power outage for residents still on alert in the Killiney and Westshore-Beau Park areas, as B.C. Hydro had to cut power to some lines threatened by the blaze for safety reasons.
An emergency reception centre is set up at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School at 2751 Cameron Rd. in West Kelowna.
Some campers and tenters at Bear Creek Provincial Park were offered space on the school grounds or at the Wal-Mart on Louie Drive, but officials warned accommodations for other displaced tourists were scarce in town due to the long weekend. They were asking anyone with room available for evacuees to come to speak with volunteers.
The latest fire-status update earlier Saturday had Terrace Mountain 90-per-cent contained and holding steady at about 4,500 hectares. The human-caused blaze was first spotted July 18.
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