Tyaughton Fire West of Lillooett

[winston]

This forest fire in the interior of British Columbia has now grown from 800 to 1400 hectares and is threatening structures in the immediate vicininty of Tyaughton Lake known locally to us as Tyax Lake. Tyax Lodge is a huge log structure that was built by my neighbor at Gun Lake, Jim Carmichael. Jim owns a log home manufacturing facility in 100 Mile House and was contracted to build this beautiful hotel about twenty five years ago. If that structure is lost many people in the area will lose their livlihoods and the area will lose a lot of its more recent history.

http://tyax.com/

It is almost surreal to see the area where our other home is on television and to hear the daily accounts of the battle against this raging fire that is completely out of control. My wife and I managed to leave Gun Lake on Monday even though the road was officially closed at the time. We were escorted through a portion of the fire straddling the road to safety.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columb ... fire-.html

Please remember to fully extinguish your campfires this summer with lots of water. This can be the disastrous result if you don't.

I pray that no lives are lost as the courageous firefighters and pilots battle to protect our homes and our property.

[cjj]

Glad to hear you're out safely, I wish the firefighters the best of luck. I've been in similar situations, when I lived in the mountains of Idaho, helping to fight those kinds of fires. They can truly be devastating...

[ajish4]

Brian,

Our hopes & prayers are with you all.

I've just spent the last 40 minutes looking at the pictures of that beautiful lodge. I dind't k now places as beautitul as this existed and were available to everyone.

Keep us posted how the fight progresses.

[scotty]

Glad you are OK Brian I hope all is well and the damage that is done minimum.Best wishes Scott

[winston]

I pray that it actually rains on the weekend and through next week as they believe that it might. Hopefully the firefighters can keep the fire away from the small enclaves of dwellings in its path and also the towns of Goldbridge and Bralorne which are also very close by.

Many people retired to their Gun Lake property over the years and so it is all that they have left in this world. For those who are fortunate enough to have another home to go to all we can do is sit by and watch helplessly as the fire devours the forest around our properties.

Thank you for your support and words of comfort. It is really appreciated.

[kenposurf]

Best wishes Brian..thinking about you guys

[bitzerguy]

I am so glad you got out safe Brian.

My brother and nephew are both fighting that monster. They joined a team out of Lillooet yesterday. Our prayers go out to all the folks fighting this fire, and all like it. Needless to say thes are anxious times for our family.

[winston]

My heartfelt thanks goes out to all the brave men and women on the front line of that fire. Just knowing that it is part of your family that is out there risking life and limb really personalises their efforts Dean. I pray they return safely to your family when all is said and done.

I just noticed that I put an extra T on the end of Lillooet in the thread title. That's what happens I guess when you are a bit stressed. You get careless.

[winston]

Here's a view of the smoke from the fire at Gun Lake. Thankfully the wind is relatively calm

[winston]

Another photo from today courtesy of The Forests and Range Protection Branch.

[romo1950]

We lived in Agoura Hills back in 93 -94 and experienced the Calabasas -Malibu fire at very close Quarters, That was the first time I had witnessed first hand how destructive, fast moving and terrifying wilfires are.
My thoughts are with the residents and firefighters in that area, lets hope they can get containment soon

[johnallg]

So glad you got out safe and in time, Brian. Our hopes and wishes for success in extinguishing this monster, minimizing losses. Safety for those fighting.

Seems huge fires are more prevalent than they were. People's outdoor savvy is not what it used to be.....

[longboard_ric]

Brian,

I'm glad you and Penny are safe and well. Hopefully the winds will remain calm and the firefighters will get it under control.

But you really have to wonder about some people. The report stated hot conditions, but a camper could not be bothered to extinguish his fire. That has to be just plain stupidity !!!!

Dean, I hope you brother and nephew stay safe.

[winston]

Thanks for the best wishes guys.

The fire has grown to 2000 hectares and so far no structures have been lost. It is moving towards Tyax and away from our properties on Gun Lake at the moment because of the combination of lack of any consistent wind movement in any one direction and also the natural terrain. This is giving the crews on the ground an opportunity to create a fire break using very large twin engined helicopters to lay fire retardent gel on the fires flank, that is closest to Gun Creek. If the fire crosses that creek we would need a miracle to come out unscathed.

The area is expecting showers and rain on Monday Tuesday so we are all praying that the crews can keep that fire at bay until then.

[ozover50]

Thanks for the update, Brian. Good to hear that things may work out OK for you.

Still got everything crossed over here!