The catastrophic Okanagan Mountain Park fire burned more than 250 square kilometres of land from August to September 2003, destroying nearly 240 homes on the southern edges of Kelowna and causing damages estimated at $200 million.
Flames and smoke rise dangerously close to a residential area of Kelowna, B.C., on Aug. 23, 2003.
"Every home of eight or nine [homes] in the cul-de-sac was burned to the ground, except the one next door," Douglas said. "It took us three years [to recover from the trauma]." The fire even reached the Myra Canyon section of the former Kettle Valley Railway in September 2003, destroying 12 wooden trestles at the historic site. All of them were subsequentlyThe Stanleys were able to rebuild their home in less than a year thanks to their son, an architect based in London, U.K., who flew to British Columbia to assist his parents.
"[The movers] removed the grand piano, and then they said, 'We got an empty truck. Let's fill it.' So we took whatever we could. We took the bishop's chair. We took the altar. We took whatever we were able to lift," she recalled. Amos became emotional while moving furniture out of the historic building. She remembered saying at the time, "Please, God, don't let me be the last person to ever stand in this beautiful space."Amos views challenges like the Okanagan Mountain Park fire as experiences that have made her stronger.Important lessons learned, says fire chief
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Man shot by police in multi-hour standoff in Grand ForksEmergency Response Unit called in from Kelowna
Read more »
Stewart Cink hoping for some mountain magic in first trip to Shaw Charity ClassicStewart Cink, still playing a full schedule on the PGA Tour, should be among the favourites this week at Canyon Meadows.
Read more »
Stewart Cink hoping for some mountain magic in first trip to Shaw Charity ClassicStewart Cink, still playing a full schedule on the PGA Tour, should be among the favourites this week at Canyon Meadows.
Read more »
Accused murderer soaks in Mountain Dew to scrub DNA of dead roommateA Florida woman who allegedly killed her roommate doused herself in Mountain Dew to erase any forensic evidence from her body.
Read more »
Accused murderer soaks in Mountain Dew to scrub DNA of dead roommateA Florida woman who allegedly killed her roommate doused herself in Mountain Dew to erase any forensic evidence from her body.
Read more »
Blackwolf Copper and Gold commence drilling at Cantoo Mountain, AlaskaDescription
Read more »