Castanet Article on prescription for forest fuel reduction

If you attended our FireSmart event, one of the speakers was the forester in charge of this prescription.

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/567664/Osoyoos-Indian-Band-leads-project-reducing-wildfire-risk-at-Mount-Baldy

I don't have any new information on when the actual work may be funded and go ahead.

And the rodents win............

The SSC was vandalised by rodents when Baldy was in receivership a number of years ago. They had a blast between the inner and outer layers of the structure. Insulation settled, and the place stunk. Today, she came tumbling down. The part still standing is an electrical room that feeds other assests.

2nd hand, about the gate, and opinion

• BBC seems to know something, and is hauling debris there for clients, including "lot clearing debris"
• Gate has been installed in a place that is not pedestrian friendly for all the trail users who want to go around it
• Was told that community Assoc has to cover costs with the "chip" pile
• Was told that this strata council will not pay for anything outside of strata boundaries
• A previous Council got a legal opinion that strata can spend money on things outside of the strata boundaries if it is in the best interests of the Strata 
• I am opposed to the banning stumps and forcing owners to dump illegally, or haul to Greenwood at substantial costs
• I am opposed to any plan that has community members operating a chipper.
• The last time we had a chipper branches were to be laid out on the road in neat pile
• Someone is terribly worried about unauthorized use of the debris pile, or we would not have a gate that is an annoyance to most, if not all the community
• The cost of maintaining the new debris site would be a fraction of the old one, as it is larger and does not need to be pushed up often 
• Our local forestry company owner does a quick, clean hot burn, with a tiger torch
• Those who are not familiar with slash piles have commented that stumps and some pieces don't burn as well
• If you light a pile, and don't come back a day or two later and push in from the edges, there will always be some unburnt fuel behind

Too many cooks.

Baldy from Bonaparte

My winter photos from the top of the Eagle often show Mt. Bonaparte in the background. Some of the locals rely on the NOAA Bonaparte weather forecast as being similar to Baldy.

On Sunday, Peggy and Dale hiked 10 miles from Bonaparte Lake to the summit of Bonaparte. Thanks for the photos of Baldy Peggy.

Monday........Communication preferred over surprise...........

 

Cutting your own firewood?

The permit is free, but you should print one off and have it with you. I have two - as the forest districts change at the old microwave. Easy to find online.

The permit will tell you what fire suppression equipment you should have with you.

ER Closing at 5:00 and overnight

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/567164/South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-emergency-department-to-close-Sunday-overnight

I'm Not Telling

I saw a rather large antlered animal on my way to town yesterday. I could post a high res image, but then you might figure out where I saw him.

Please Download the BC Wildfire App on your phone, or check the website

Everything is easily accessible including fires, fire restrictions, fire danger.

It has happened before. Many years ago a cabin owner from the coast came up in August, and lit a fire to clean up some debris. Her story was rather dramatic, but apparently she was "buzzed" by a helicopter.

Yesterday, a member of our community started to burn debris on his property in the village. His primary residence is not here. Yes we did have a couple of wet, foggy days.

There is still a Province wide ban on Category 2 & 3 fires.

Here is what alarmed those driving up from the valley yesterday afternoon.

Identifying features blocked out. The owner put the fire out last night.

Don't Burn

Yes we had a couple of wet days, but the BCWF app shows that Category 2 fires are prohibited.

Billowing smoke as I drove up from town this afternoon. Others came up looking for the source too.

I tried to contact the warden to confirm that restrictions had not changed. Someone else was able to connect.

There is a place to put your forest debris, please use it.

No ER in Oliver Saturday morning 5:00am to Noon

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/566992/Oliver-hospital-emergency-department-to-close-for-Saturday-morning

Congratulations Urs Grob - 10 years as Chief of the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department

 

Chief Grob recognised by the AMFD for his leadership and service. At Baldy, he has helped out in the past on the patrol and electrical side of things. I do have a photo or two of him in a patrol jacket, but he looks more distinguished in the AMFD uniform.

The Tyee and Wildfire - Well worth the read - and a personal rant.

https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/08/14/Wildfires-Five-Things-We-Can-Do/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=140825

Vast swaths of timber incinerate each year. My thoughts are that selective thinning and other forest practices that can reduce the intensity of wildfire, is a better option than leaving things intact and watching it burn.

As the prescription is developed for the spacing adjacent to the Baldy Road, I can't help but think that more widespread spacing could be justified. When the logs were decked from the fuel mod fire break near the ski area, I was taken on a tour. Many of those logs were already "denim pine." Sooner or later, the die off that is rampant in our village will be more obvious down the road. Would it be more economical to selectively log more of that down hill forest while it is merchantable timber? 

My grandmother's brother, and 3 more generations of his family have been loggers at the coast for a very long time. When they held all the timber rights to a particular Island, I was given a tour around 1980. I was shown blocks where the first generation had logged, some of which had already been logged again by the second or third generation. The regeneration rate on the coast was astounding at the time. I acknowledge that a lot has changed since 1980.

As I drive to Kelowna on Hwy 33, I see more lots being developed in forested areas. As previously noted, there are also water totes and buckets at the side of the highway where property owners are tired of seeing roadside fire starts.

When our village was laid out, the vision was for lots of trees. That was many decades ago. There are things we can do to protect our homes and investment. What is it going to take to get more owners to wake up and do something?

The FireSmart information is all available online. Free assessments and rebate grants have been on the table for some time. The dead trees in the village are not only fuel, but they are in danger of hitting your home and doing damage.

New buildings in our area require FireSmart exterior finishes.

I discussed our current situation with an area tree removal contractor. I asked him what he thought it would take to kick start FireSmart again in our community. His reply, another fire.

Trees are snapping and coming down in the village more often now.

Many of the absentee owners with their heads in the sand do not read this blog, particularly in the summer. So now you have seen another rant, and the people who most need to read it, probably won't.

Clouds on a Windy Afternoon

 

Wildfire near Osoyoos - Held

Quick response, great work, fire "being held." Flight Aware showed last heli returning to Penticton a short while ago.

It would not be a fire season without something between the Industrial Park and the Kobau turn off.

https://www.timeschronicle.ca/fast-moving-wildfire-near-osoyoos-industrial-park-closes-hwy-3/

Photo courtesy BC Wildfire

BC Wildfire Service

snrdoeSptom4lciaact2069l11g81130i9912umlt38a3fmfiif9ua3t18t1 ·

We are currently responding to the Conifryd Creek (K51497) wildfire, which is located approximately six kilometres northwest of Osoyoos and east of Highway 3.

The wildfire is currently estimated to be 7.5 hectares in size and displaying Rank 1 fire behaviour, which means a smouldering ground fire.

There are currently 22 ground personnel responding. Aerial resources assisted ground crews but have completed their objectives for the evening. This wildfire is suspected human-caused.

For any information on road impacts please visit www.drivebc.ca/

For more information on this wildfire visit: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/incidents... 

Comments

•  

 

GEN 7 Customer Appreciation

 Get a GEN 7 loyalty card. Sign up for an online account. Get an e-mail hint like I did yesterday, filled up today for $1.00 per litre. Line ups and traffic control from 11:00 to 4:00. I didn't go inside to see what the other specials were, no where to park!

Air Resources Deployed to Hwy 33 Fire near Goudie Road

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/565930/Fire-crews-responding-to-fire-burning-off-Highway-33 

This appears to be north of where many of us have seen homeowner water totes and buckets along Hwy 33.

Saturday Night, another ER closure at SOGH

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/565856/Temporary-service-interruption-at-South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-emergency-department

Seasons

It is early August, but there are a few signs that we may have an early fall.

• Season Pass prices go up in price soon
• First mice caught in a cabin. ( not mine )
• valley dwellers starting to haul wood down toward Oliver
• multiple cool, cloudy days (we are happy to get the moisture)
• cooler evenings

If  you haven't been up since ski season, best to walk around your place before settling in. There are bent chimneys and dead trees. We have been fortunate so far this fire season, but that is no reason to ignore FireSmart work on our properties.

SOGH ER Closure Again

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/565710/South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-emergency-department-closing-overnight-Friday

They need to get a new file photo for these stories. The pick-up in the background belonged to someone who retired a long time ago.

What happened at the Transfer Station Tuesday is not acceptable

The "household garbage" bin was emptied as usual on Tuesday morning. Tuesday evening, the dumpster was stuffed full. A loaded truck came up from below at least once and dumped stuff including furniture.

Thank-you to our Regional Director for responding - a replacement dumpster likely arrived today.

One truck may or may not be connected to our community. Go to the RDKB website and find out what goes where.

Bear Aware

 

Baldy Babes - every season.

Join the Baldy Babes for a hike on August 30th, coinciding with Baldy Mountain Resort's end of summer barbeque - all welcome.

91% RH and Clean Chimney

I don't usually light my woodstove at this time of year. It is burning now and venting into a very wet outdoors.

Reason for lighting it? Both sets of work gloves I wore today are sopping wet. 

In Loving Memory of Jane Bland, September 24, 1942 – July 11, 2025

Our thoughts are with Marnie, Charmian and all of the family as they rest, reflect, and adapt to life without Jane. The family did not dwell on the illness factor, so I won't either. I do want to say though that Jane's family provided exceptional support and caring for both Jane and Mike through their health challenges.

In this community, Jane was the ultimate hostess. It always amazed me how calmly she handled the vast numbers of young folks who came to the cabin with Marnie and Charmian.

For community events, Jane could be found in the cafeteria smiling as she presided over many potlucks, and served hot chocolate to the masses on Christmas Eve.

She absolutely adored her grand-daughters.

The family cabin has been pretty quiet, but we look forward to the return of the younger generations, as they make new memories on the mountain.

In Loving Memory of Jane Bland          September 24, 1942 – July 11, 2025

Surrounded by family, Jane passed peacefully on July 11, 2025, with the same love, grace, humour, and strength that defined her life.

She was dearly loved by her husband of 62 years, Michael; her daughters, Marnie and Charmian; her granddaughters, Sola and Mia; her sisters, Halcyone and Rozzy; extended family members and many close friends.

Jane was intelligent, creative, quick witted, and deeply committed to her work as a childcare services manager. She was a passionate advocate for children’s needs, first in North Vancouver and later in Penticton. She shared her love of art with family and community, and her encaustic work remains a lasting reflection of her vibrant spirit. 

Jane also found great joy in spending time with her granddaughters and took deep pride in her roles as a mother, grandmother, and lifelong companion. She was a dynamic and social person who loved connecting with friends and family in Kaleden and at the family cabin on Mount Baldy.

We will miss Jane, Mom, Amma, deeply and are grateful for the love and beauty she brought to our lives.

December 13, 2008, Baldy's 40th Anniversary - Jane and Mike on the left

 

Celebrating Mike Crowson's 80th, Jane and Mike on the left.

I will add other photos as a find them.

In her working years, Jane called me one time when she was working on a proposal for child care for families working in the orchards. I gave her some contacts, but told her that each immigrant farm worker group seemed to have their own solution. There were apple bins under the trees made into playpens, and eventually immigrants whose culture had all generations living under one roof so there was no shortage of childcare.

Jane asked me to keep posting photos of clouds, as she liked to paint them. She also floated the idea of a subscription to this blog so I could be compensated for all the work.

Dearly missed, but we have her daughters and granddaughters in our community - influenced very much by Jane.

Tree Fallers

There are many options out there, from guys who will just drop the trees for you, to full service contractors Who will drop. limb, buck, chip etc.

It's only 10:00am, and the crew has taken care of the dead ones that required the bucket truck from Porcupine.

 

If you don't have a family Doctor............

You should be registered on the Provincial matching list.

There is a walk in Clinic coming to Oliver on Fridays for those who do not have a family Doc

https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/564833/Oliver-sees-new-walk-in-health-clinic-at-Osoyoos-Indian-Band-Health-Centre#564833

No ER at SOGH until noon Tuesday

https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-564920-87-.htm#564920 

Saturday Evening

 

Lightning, His name was Michael

We sometimes referred to him as "perfect" Michael. A good looking boy with dark curly hair, and a handsome adult, with that same curly hair, He had a brilliant mind. He would have turned 40 this year. He was probably a pre-schooler when we first met. He was a friend to both of my nephews. I have lots of photos of him at birthday parties. I'd visit with his Mom outside the school as we waited for the kids.

He was a brilliant scholar, having a holiday with family. Beach front, at Hilton Head, Carolina. He had gone for a walk on the beach with his Mom. They saw the storm coming.

“It was a lovely, sunny day,” she said, until ominous clouds soon overtook what had been a clear sky. She and her son turned around to head back to their starting point about two miles away when they noticed stormy clouds in the distance. Rain had not yet started to fall, but Vesna  said she and her son saw a lightning bolt “football fields away.”

The last thing they said to each other was, “Let’s get off the beach.” Both Jurist and his mother were struck by lightning almost immediately after.

Michael was gone in an instant, his mother injured. Electrical storms - you never know.

I remember the noise and the feel of the lightning strike up here a couple hundred feet from my cabin.

It is sunny now, but I've heard thunder in the distance - we may not get a storm. My tools are put away, and I'll find other things to do............

When I hear thunder, I always think of Michael.

October 4th Trail Race

 

Baldy Mountain Resort

toponSdresf4361iit63119ccy0haac4:mt52i9lu013  5 cu737Mt J3Aa ·

We're looking for volunteers for our trail race!

Not keen to run the course but still want to be involved in some way? We're looking to fill a variety of positions to make this new event the best it can be!
From set up & teardown to helping out at aid stations, there's several different ways you can get involved! Head to our event registration page on our web store to find a volunteer link, or head straight to https://signup.com/go/ECFFttQ to get signed up.

We're so excited for this event and hope to see you there!