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CNN Sunday Morning
Firefighters Gain Upper Hand
Aired August 03, 2003 - 09:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Firefighters in Montana are claiming victory over one of the wildfires near Glacier National Park. The fire was completely out of control just a few days ago. But back burns and helpful wind conditions slowed it down. Many residents evacuated from West Glacier will be able to return to their homes, some as early as today.
But that good news is lost on many people north of the border. In British Columbia, fires have forced thousands to evacuate. And many have seen their homes and livelihoods lost in the flames. Sara Galahsan from CNN affiliate CTV has this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARAH GALAHSAN, CTV NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The worst summer for fires in 50 years made for the worst day of their lives.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are all good people here, and I come from Europe, I lived here 22 years and I don't want to move. I'm still there. Wonderful people.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's been hell. We've been evacuated from barrier here. The fire has basically chased us through Little Fort, through a hundred miles.
GALAHSAN: One thousand more residents now from the northern town of Folklynn join the Army of refugees in this province. It's now estimated 10,000 people have fled their homes from fires that rage throughout the Thompson-Nicola region.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But it's passed barrier. It probably won't stop till whenever it decides to with the wind dies down or we get some rain finally.
GALAHSAN: Dry conditions have only helped the fire to grow out of control as to do the rumors about which towns and what buildings have been destroyed by the blaze.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My mom's house is out there and stuff, so she's going to be pretty upset when she gets back from Fort Back.
GALAHSAN: That two sawmills have been destroyed is a major source of worry because forestry is a major source of income for many here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Basically forestry is everything up that valley. And who knows what's going to happen now. I heard it was gone. I don't know if it's true.
GALAHSAN: Evacuation centers have been in set up Kamloops, Saminar (ph) and Vernon to help those in need.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's for the breakfasts, put you up for lodging, and they give you paper to replace some of the stuff that was lost on you.
GALAHSAN: They'll have food and a place to stay, if not their home.
(on camera): It's believed at least one of these fires was caused by a lit cigarette. And according to the Environment Canada Weather Forecast, the situation here could get even worse. They're calling for showers on Monday, but they're predicting thunderstorms and lightning strikes, which could cause even more fires, a combination that could prove even more disastrous.
Sara Galahsan, CTV News, Kamloops.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 3, 2003 - 09:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Firefighters in Montana are claiming victory over one of the wildfires near Glacier National Park. The fire was completely out of control just a few days ago. But back burns and helpful wind conditions slowed it down. Many residents evacuated from West Glacier will be able to return to their homes, some as early as today.
But that good news is lost on many people north of the border. In British Columbia, fires have forced thousands to evacuate. And many have seen their homes and livelihoods lost in the flames. Sara Galahsan from CNN affiliate CTV has this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARAH GALAHSAN, CTV NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The worst summer for fires in 50 years made for the worst day of their lives.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are all good people here, and I come from Europe, I lived here 22 years and I don't want to move. I'm still there. Wonderful people.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's been hell. We've been evacuated from barrier here. The fire has basically chased us through Little Fort, through a hundred miles.
GALAHSAN: One thousand more residents now from the northern town of Folklynn join the Army of refugees in this province. It's now estimated 10,000 people have fled their homes from fires that rage throughout the Thompson-Nicola region.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But it's passed barrier. It probably won't stop till whenever it decides to with the wind dies down or we get some rain finally.
GALAHSAN: Dry conditions have only helped the fire to grow out of control as to do the rumors about which towns and what buildings have been destroyed by the blaze.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My mom's house is out there and stuff, so she's going to be pretty upset when she gets back from Fort Back.
GALAHSAN: That two sawmills have been destroyed is a major source of worry because forestry is a major source of income for many here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Basically forestry is everything up that valley. And who knows what's going to happen now. I heard it was gone. I don't know if it's true.
GALAHSAN: Evacuation centers have been in set up Kamloops, Saminar (ph) and Vernon to help those in need.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's for the breakfasts, put you up for lodging, and they give you paper to replace some of the stuff that was lost on you.
GALAHSAN: They'll have food and a place to stay, if not their home.
(on camera): It's believed at least one of these fires was caused by a lit cigarette. And according to the Environment Canada Weather Forecast, the situation here could get even worse. They're calling for showers on Monday, but they're predicting thunderstorms and lightning strikes, which could cause even more fires, a combination that could prove even more disastrous.
Sara Galahsan, CTV News, Kamloops.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
