The Day Everything Changed

This last Friday, my partner and I were patrolling Isaac Lake, the biggest lake on the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit, when a thunder and lightning storm started to roll in.

We had just beached our aluminum boat (re: lightning + aluminum) when we saw one lightning strike directly east of where we were and suddenly plume into smoke.

While I was reporting this strike, another camper overheard me and said "thank god you're reporting the four strikes". Confused, I turned to the west and saw four more plumes erupting from other side of the lake.

Then came a reply on the radio from the fire service, 'caribou fire center is now closed for evacuation. Please self evacuate and be safe on your own".

The next 48 hours were the most demanding, adrenaline filled, and nerve wracking hours that I've ever experienced. Mark and I, along with our two rangers, Ashley and Jeremy, and two front country operators, Chris and Christine, successfully evacuated over 275 people out of our 150,000 hectares park by foot, canoe, and boats.

Those fires continue to grow in Bowron Lake Provincial and while I am so heartbroken for our home out there, I am also so proud of the six of us for having pulled off one of the craziest evacuations I've seen, with zero evacuation experience and very little resources.

There were so many amazing evacuees who mustered their strength despite utter exhaustion and didn't hesitate to help complete strangers in the evacuation and for them, I am so grateful.

In amidst this monumental tragedy, people like these are the shiny bit of hope.