Lightning Strike - labeled Mount Underdown

New start, north and west of us. Currently showing as a spot fire, "out of control"

No "response" noted on the app - guessing late detection, and early morning action. 

A busy day on the mountain..........

So much going on today, that I didn't have time to check in with the BMR team.

Two milestone pours for new cabins in the village today. I got to play with concrete with Tom, and Dan got soaked in the storm at the end of his footing pour. 

I haven't watched a full job of a pumper truck before. Those guys sure know how to set up and maneuver the boom. Tom pours like a pro. The timing of the cement trucks was perfect.  Osoyoos Redi Mix. I went to school with owner John Vieira, and I think owner Manuel Vieira went to school with Katlin's Mom.

There were surveyors around - Pendergraft. A pioneer family, Brock now taking over from his Dad Brad. Brad skis here, and in my teens I worked at Uncle Paul Fairweather's hardware store in Osoyoos where Brock's Grandmother worked in the office. 

The Siya forestry crew was just packing up for the day when I went to town. They are working on the prescription for the tree spacing along the Baldy Road.

There was a telecommunications crew working up top today. They were packed up and headed down before the storm hit.

Windy and Smoky in Town

Very strong winds in Oliver late this afternoon, and a strong wood smoke smell when I stopped at the mailbox. CBC was reporting that the smoke was coming from stateside fires, The wind was definitely out of the south. 

Thank-you BCWF for a quick response - Gregoire Creek Fire now "Under Control"

A wildfire start earlier this evening is suspected as being lightning caused - named the Gregoire Creek Fire. If you zoom in on the map, it is in the "high fire danger" zone just outside our "moderate fire danger "  zone. 

I made a quick trip to town and looked back to see what may have been one of the strikes in that area,. On the way back up, I saw a low flying helicopter with snorkle over the ranch at McCuddy Creek. My guess is he was looking for water in a reservoir which is now empty.

One initial attack crew and one helicopter got the fire under control fairly quickly.

The BCFW flagging was at the intersection of the old 201/Baldy FSR.

It was interesting to see known squatters loading up large containers of water at the actual creek.

Possible Thunderstorms This Afternoon

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/564320/Thunderstorm-watch-issued-for-entire-Okanagan#564320

New wildfire North of Greenwood, possibly linked to thunderstorm a few days ago.

Really Nice Family selling across the street from me.

The neighbours across the street have plans for new adventures, and their cabin is for sale by owner. I hate to see them go. It has been fun watching the kids grow, and they have kindly delivered turkey dinner to me on special occasions. Nice neighbours arrive to a cleared walkway on Friday nights.

You can find the listing on the Facebook Page Baldy Mountain Resort BC Community Board.

Looking from Porcupine is deceiving, there are two more levels on the Blue Jay side. Road access on two sides.

They have done a fair bit of FireSmart work, and will be shelling out more money next week as they have a contractor falling 13 dead trees. (Sorry folks, Gerald and I have spoken for the Firewood.)

Busy Day on the Mountain

Pumper truck and several concrete trucks coming up today. Pour closest to the lodge is at 11:00. I haven't heard the pumper yet, but not sure if the footing pour below the "Pink Palace" is before or after. If you are leaving the village, you can avoid most of the congestion by using Porcupine.

Dump truck traffic in the village. May be related to the dirt work for the addition to a cabin on Porcupine. The load of gravel pit crush that has been sitting on Porcupine since last week disappeared, so I guess it wasn't for resurfacing.

Roofing contractor across the street, not obstructing traffic.

There is that old expression about one not being afraid of getting their hands dirty.................

This Contractor/Journeyman wasn't afraid to get his boots muddy today. Those feet had skis on them when he was a little guy - probably not long after he could stand. 

RCMP

RCMP were up here for a bit very early this morning. Reason unknown. 

97 and 97C closures - Wildfire

Wildfire ignited - Drought Hill due to vehicle fire. Our reporter overlooking the scene said earlier that the boaters on the lake were a little slow figuring out they should get of of the way of the skimmer aircraft.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Peachland/564183/400-properties-evacuated-due-to-Drought-Hill-wildfire-in-Peachland

NO Brains. Circling aircraft did not move the boats away, they went farther down the lake to get water.

Fire Danger Rating

Latest reading at Grizzly Ext is 3 or moderate. A couple of warmer days coming up, then hopefully the weather guessers are right about cooler and some moisture at the end of the week. 

About those huckleberries..............

One friend told me they are plentiful, big and juicy. One friend told me about the wasp nest on the trail.

Others have given me bear updates. I may check the bushes in my yard....... 

Grandchildren Finds

 At the gravel pit - big frog today, snake yesterday, lots of tadpoles. Thanks Cheryl for the photos.

Wasp Nest Alert

There is a huge wasp nest hip level in a bush right beside the  trail going up from Webster trail to Dimma's meadow, aka the stripper pole. 
 

You can recycle old mowers, snow blowers and other outdoor power equipment

 https://www.opeic.ca/recycle-outdoor-power-equipment/ 

Roads

YRB has done some grading on the Baldy Road.

AIM had a grader and a water truck on McKinney Road yesterday.

AIM had a fellow on evening shift patching potholes in the pavement on McKinney Road. 

Annual Lift Maintenance

When I post photos like this in the summer, I think of the lift maintenance teams of the past that were restricted by ownership to wait until the days were shorter, and the temperature much colder, before given the go ahead to do the preseason maintenance work. These are from July 22nd.

 

Another ER Closure tonight at SOGH

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/562931/Oliver-s-South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-to-close-Wednesday-overnight

Dead Trees

Stormy weather is hard on dead trees. One came down in a recent storm and damaged a walkway. There are others on the same property that need attention.

There are tree falling companies listed under the Services Contact Information tab. If you have connections, Andrew will drop trees if he has time.

My neighbours have Miller Tree Care coming up to take down dead trees on their property. I don't have a date on that one. 

Bears

Bears spotted recently in places they have been seen in the past. Below the waste treatment ponds, and on Sugarlump, to the left of the chair.

An old fashioned Baldy summer flash, bang, soaker...........

They called it a "storm watch." The torrential downpour, interspersed with hail started well ahead of the thunder and lightning. It continued for some time after, with light moisture coming down now.

The Lightning Tracker app on my phone showed the closest strikes just on the back side at the top of Sugarlump, two thirds of the way up Ponderosa, and maybe half way up Baldy Trail. Many strikes on the backside, and to the north, west, and south of us.

Watching the driveway wash away.

I've been here for louder, closer electrical storms than this one. Very happy with the amount of moisture we got. Those in the process of building will not be pleased with the mud. On the Grizzly EXT weather station this morning, the fire danger rating was down to a "2". We may get a flyover in the morning, but I feel confident with the moisture amount.

Thank-you concrete worker Cheryl for this photo

A special moment for this family as they left their impression on what will be a step outside their home. This was taken after the footing pour. (yes, a little print was added beside Mom's)

Progress - Things are taking shape............

Congrats Tom - the hardest working, most meticulous builder with the cleanest job site. Engineer Tuesday, Building Inspector Wednesday, and footing pour Thursday. Thanks to Wayne and Cheryl, Hannah, and Jack for helping with the pour. Hey, I would have helped if I knew the pour was today - I love playing with concrete.

For engineer Dan, his project is taking shape with the NOC Construction big excavator working - first retaining wall blocks in place. Dan also had a few minutes away to work a little of the concrete finishing with Tom.

Bruce and Jan are working inside, after taking their place to lock up last summer. 

Water On

If you are not a resident during fire season, you may want to consider a plumbing update that allows your cabin water to be shut off, while a hose bib outside is still on.

 BC Wildfire Service

 

denpSsootrm2m077i196t54m02h9868cm135c8287f23885tthalg1c7m7t2  · 

Wondering what you can do to protect your home? In the face of an evacuation, water supplied by your home can be used to protect your property from wildfire.

By leaving your water on, Structure Protection Specialists are able to more easily strategically place sprinklers around your property, which raises the relative humidity and creates a humidity bubble. This is the most common structure protection tactic used to safeguard your home and property from wildfire embers traveling by wind.

To learn more about the protection tactics used, visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/.../wildfire.../structure-protection

Water Bills..........

I've had some inquiries about our July 1st water invoices. The book keeping for the water utility is no longer done on the mountain, and the BMR accountant is switching the waterworks to a better accounting software program. You should have a recent letter indicating the increase as of July 1st. 

YRB Project - Baldy Road, near the Canyon Bridge

Too many pieces of equipment and people working to stop for a photo this morning. The lane to the left in the photo was excavated several feet, and the right lane down a bit too. Hopefully that will help keep the pavement intact in that section.

Hwy 33 Residents

There have been a number of roadside fire starts along Hwy 33 closer to Kelowna in recent years. Some residents have placed large water totes and buckets at the side of the highway.

No ER again tonight.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/561661/Temporary-overnight-closure-ahead-for-South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-ER

Does not make any sense to me.

My first trip to Baldy was over the rough last 4 miles of road construction, 1967. I have been a property owner here for 52 years. I have seen many things.

It does not make any sense to me at all to haul stumps and land clearing waste to Greenwood, with associated hauling costs, and tipping fees of $175 per tonne.

Wind Storm 2025 - Osoyoos Today

We've had gusty winds up here, but nothing as bad as in the valley.

Another ER Closure

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/561470/South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-emergency-services-will-be-closed-overnight

Horrible Tragedy in Gran Fondo Event

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/561301/RCMP-confirms-one-person-killed-two-injured-after-vehicle-strikes-Granfondo-cyclists

Smoky Night

If I had a place to pull off, I could have had a stunning photo of a bright orange/red sun shining through the smoke, this side of Johnson Creek. Fires are not close to Baldy, but you can see them on the BC Wildfire App, and there is a link to the smoke forecast on the side bar,

Princeton Fire

I have stayed at the Princeton Golf Club RV Park a number of times. Beyond the course and gravel, it can get extremely dry. The "August Lake" fire currently has that area under evacuation order, and the area across the highway to the river under alert.

A hot day for anyone fighting fire.

A strong smoke smell woke me up very early this morning, but had mostly dissipated by the time I got up. 

Wildfire Season

So far I have managed to avoid spending a lot of time tracking wildfires. I suppose I will make that a priority sometime soon.

Ashnola, near Eastgate, "North Fork" north of Grand Forks, stateside south of Rossland. Skimmers picking up off Christina Lake. They are adding up. We are green up here, but it is very dry at the roadside lower down, and it would not take much to start something.

For the FireSmart avoiders, at the very least you should have a plan for the dead trees on your property. Dead and live trees have snapped this year. They become more than a fire hazard if they land on buildings and other assets.

The fire danger rating at Grizzly Ext,  a station north of us, was "moderate" today, after hovering around high.

Stay Safe - another ER Closure

https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/561041/South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-emergency-room-closed-overnight

Transfer Station

Transfer station looks great. Will it stay that way? When I see a questionable loaded vehicle backed up, I will drive in if I feel comfortable, and strike up a conversation about bears etc.

Power restored at 3:24, hoping they finished everything.

Free addition for your compost. I won't be moving it until it dries. I left the truck higher in the driveway last night, and one of the cows took advantage.

New Sign, Buck Road

 

Approximate location of caution tape and sign. I'm not interested in digging for pins or anything else. Contrary to the sign, there is access from that cul de sac. Posting for your information. Not getting involved unless there becomes an issue with the creek again.

Today's news............

In the clueless department, US officials complaining of Canadian wildfire smoke crossing the border.

Canadian aircraft and crews continue to support USA wildfire fighting efforts. 

Can't fix stupid................hard to find the right words...........

• shall we start with trespassing?
• tampering with a utility?

Some time earlier this week, someone accessed a spigot on private home in our community, turned it on, and left it running. I have no reason to believe that this home was targeted.

Thank-you to the community member who heard the running water, and attended to it.

This kind of stuff affects us all. The water utility detected a high flow reading. If it had continued longer, the utility could have incurred a call out of an operator to locate a potential leak. Only adding to the cost of operating the water system.

Do you know your neighbours, and have a way to contact them if you see something suspicious?

So much strange stuff happening these days. In the valley, there have been padlocks cut, making one wonder if it is a test to see how long it takes for someone to notice, I never did get a satisfactory answer to my questions about the break ins at the storage compound last winter, including my trailer.

We had a theft of sprinkler caps at the Community Garden in Oliver. They are useless without the whole sprinkler. When I posted about the incident, a neighbour of the gardens responded that she had her car rifled through, and found a sprinkler head in her car. Not one of ours.

Stateside Fires

Thanks to our stateside reporter ;) for providing the update last night just as I was starting to smell smoke. I didn't bother to post, as the fire south of Oroville was already contained.

If you follow RDKB on Facebook, they are posting updates on the fire south of Christina Lake. A change in wind last night blew that fire back on itself. RDKB provided good links for checking on those fires.

Thanks to the Canadian aircraft and pilots for assisting our neighbours to the south. 

Oh Joy, Planned power outages for July 10th and 11th

I just got the automated call from Fortis.

Thursday July 10th and Friday July 11th  from 9:00am to 3:00pm

508 customers affected from East of Osoyoos to Rock Creek, including Bridesville, Sidley, and Baldy.

For more information, call  1-866-436-7847  or check fortisbc.com/outages 

ER Closed Again, SOGH

https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/560153/Oliver-s-South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-ER-will-be-closed-through-to-Monday-morning 

More from the FireSmart Day

Connections - I played in the school band with Sharen's husband, and was a classmate of Rod's brother.

 

Ridiculous today at the transfer station................

RDKB has put a lot of work into a new concrete pad for the bin, and improved surface around it. Look at the mess they will find when they come up to complete the job.

 

How many people does it take to pack a fridge up and into the dumpster?

This is not the barrel that recently appeared on Porcupine, it is still there.