The forest fire southeast of Lac des Roches on July 27 was just a few wisps of smoke when it was reported to the wildfire hot line. By noon, the strong westerly winds had fanned the fire and huge plumes of smoke had many residents on edge. The day before, the wind changed from westerly to easterly and a repeat of this was a major concern for area residents. It was a stressful day as several neighbours checked their water pumps and hoses and topped up fuel cans and water storage tanks. Shortly after lunch, the spotter plane circled the area and water bombers began attacking the fire mid-afternoon. There was a rumour of a second fire near Machete Lake, but it was the same fire, burning eight kilometres north of Akehurst Lake, approximately one quarter of the distance between Lac des Roches and Barrier — as the crow flies. By early evening, the billowing smoke had stopped, to the relief of many residents. The website, www.bcwildfire.ca, indicated the lightning-sparked fire was estimated at 60 hectares and was 100 per cent contained. Thanks go out to all the residents who reported the fire and the quick responding fire suppression team. Since we are surrounded by crown land forests we all need to watch out for fires, each other and take precautionary steps to protect property from fire.
Heat takes its toll
The heat wave has had an impact on surface water all around Lac des Roches. Several of the smaller feeder creeks are dry. Since the lake is substantially fed by underwater springs, reduced stream flow into the lake has a minimal effect on the lake’s water level. The level is slowly dropping, mostly due to evaporation, but is still relatively high compared to other years due to the cool spring. Lake water temperature is very comfortable for swimming and water sports but it still has a high altitude chill to it that is invigorating. For those swimmers who prefer a warmer, bathtub-like swimming temperature, warmer water can be found in the few shallow and wind-sheltered bays around the unpopulated shores of the lake.
Speakers
Thank you to the Friends of Bridge Lake for hosting its summer speaker series at the Bridge Lake School. These free, weekly, hour-long sessions have been informative and entertaining and a great way to learn what concerns the neighbours. There are only two more sessions, Aug. 6 and 13, until next year’s line-up and I am sure residents who attend will be glad they did!
Berry crop
Last week, the first Saskatoon berries were ready for picking. This year’s early rain and late heat provided the optimum growing conditions because the crop is fantastic this year. We have learned to pick when you see them since waiting, even a day, is enough time for the competition to strip the limbs of their juicy clusters. Many birds, particularly crows and cedar waxwings, have always taken — what I thought was — more than their fair share, and when the bear moves through for a day, the berries are gone and the trees are damaged. I didn’t expect to see our resident pair of does nibbling on the bushes, but they were, so add them to the culprit list. And, although it seemed that training our dog to eat blackberries of the bushes on the Langley dikes was a harmless idea at the time, she now helps herself to what I think rightfully belongs in my bran muffins and flax pancakes! How do I tell her no?