Submitted by Terry Hill

About: I am a new resident of West Kelowna. The recent fires in West Kelowna and the new Terrace Mountain fire have brought back memories of working as a B.C. Forests fire fighter in the 1970's.

My take: West Kelowna is just getting back to normal after the large fire that put a spotlight on this beautiful area of the Okanagan.

Fire crews continue to put out the remaining hot spots of the Glenrosa fire. Meanwhile, a new and potentially much larger, threat consumes the landscape at a rapid pace, northwest of Kelowna.

The Terrace Mountain fire is considered a category 4 fire, currently out of control due to high winds and has grown in size to over 4000 hectares. The weather forecast is predicting hot, dry weather with a risk of thunderstorms throughout the region.

The surrounding areas of Fintry, Caesar's Landing, La Casa, Nahun, Fintry Delta and Killiney Beach are on evacuation alert. Kamloops officials are closely monitoring the imposing threat to their community.

Hopefully the outstanding coordination of the B.C. Forest Service and the tireless efforts of the fire fighters will prevail, their expertise was greatly appreciated in West Kelowna.

A special thanks goes out to the pilots of both the tankers and helicopters for their precision water drops, a very dangerous and courageous occupation.