
Nature Rebounds

Last August we saw news and videos of a raging wildfire near Rock Creek and the nearby Kettle River Provincial Park. Twelve months later, near the end of our Kootenay trip, we stopped for a couple of wonderful days at the Park and saw first hand the burned Ponderosa Pines. (The lower campsite was open and seemingly untouched).
As we walked though the area above the campsite, it was fascinating—to me at least, how fast the forest floor plants had rebounded in just one growing season. On this walk, we watched a man catch and release a lovely Rainbow Trout. We saw pheasant, quail and many smaller birds. This was strange given the black and somewhat eerie scene.
Strange too as the two blackened pines in the foreground of the photo are along the river’s edge. Yet when we turned ninety degrees toward the river we saw this tranquil scene:

Scary Stuff in Your Backyard
It’s somewhat terrifying when an accident with fire happens in your neighbourhood in the driest year on record. Quick response by neighbours, RCMP, Salt Spring Fire, and Hydro got this fire under control before it could spread on a windy day. The fire fighters were particularly impressive; a well oiled machine. Thanks!
If you live anywhere in the Gulf Islands and needed a reminder about how dry the Islands are, you have it.