View from Vernon, July 22,2009

This smoky image of the Fintry fire was taken on July 22,2009, about five days after the fire began, from our rooftop patio at Sun Valley Mall, in downtown Vernon. Last year was quite hot and dry, but the water reserves were in far better shape. This year is quite different, the highland reserves are 50% below normal this year, and the backcountry is dangerously dry already.