It’s not just trees that burn when the forest burns. Animals that cannot escape die an agonizing death. July sees many of the wild young venturing out with their mothers. They simply cannot move as quickly as the adults and many are lost. Birds that haven’t fledged are lost to fire and those small mammals that dwell in trees or the ground are doomed as well.
People have not been caught in the fire yet this summer, but fatalities among the fire fighters have occurred. Property damage is massive as the fires encroach on settled areas. In BC a particularly destructive fire is burning in the Cariboo at Puntzi Lake. It has destroyed a resort and numerous homes and outbuildings. It’s growth has been exponential since being reported Wednesday at 5 square kilometres. By Friday it had doubled and by Saturday afternoon it was 70 kilometres square and zero percent contained. For the past week people in the Metro Vancouver area and Vancouver Island have been coping with smoky air from the wild fires. The very young and those with breathing difficulties have been advised to stay indoors with windows and doors shut. The cost to all the taxpayers in the province is high. In 2014 the people of BC paid $297.9 million to fight the fires. You might say that the fires are natural(from lightning strikes) and we should expect them every year, but there are indications that the fire situation is getting worse across the province. In 2004, according to provincial statistics, the average fire was 58 hectares. In 2014 the average fire had grown to 248.8 hectares. Is this due to climate change? Is it simply an anomaly? Or this the new normal? Related from June 2015 - Drought on Vancouver Island ups fire risk
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The race resumed at the apex of the first categoried climb of the day. The finish was a sprint uphill after a short but very steep 1.3 km climb. The gradient at times reached over 20%. As the TV commentators remarked, it was difficult to walk up let alone race a bicycle.
Today’s route from Antwerp to Mur de Huy will be remembered for the two brutal crashes which took out so many. Stage 3 Finish General Classification 1. Joaquim Rodruguez, Katusha 1. Chris Froome, Sky 2. Chris Froome, Sky 2. Tony Martin, Etixx 3. Alexis Viullermoz, AG2R 3. Tejay Van Garderen, BMC 4. Daniel Martin, Garmin 4. Tony Gallopin, Lotto 5. Tony Gallopin, Lotto 5. Greg Van Avermaet, BMC Tomorrow the race moves to France, proceeding from Seraing to Cambrai. The distance is 221.5 km Sources: Velo News Le Tour Cable TV live coverage
Monday will be a rest and travel day as the peloton and their entourage will travel south from Brittany to the start of the Pyrenees. They will travel from Tarbes to La Pierre Saint Martin, a distance of 167 km. There is a long, steep mountain finish with over 15 km of climb.
Stage 9 Standings General Classification 1. BMC Racing 1. Chris Froome, Sky 2. Team Sky 2. Tejay Van Garderen, BMC 3. Movistar 3. Greg Van Avermaet, BMC 4. Tinkoff-Saxo 4. Peter Sagan, Tinkoff 5. Astana Pro 5. Alberto Contador, Tinkoff After more than 31 hours of racing, less than two minutes separates the top ten riders. More reading: Velo News Le Tour
Crashes and injuries continue to plague the riders. Alberto Contador, Tinkoff, and Robert Gesink, Lotto, contacted the ground in the neutral zone before the race proper, but promptly got back in the saddle. Greg Henderson, Lotto, did not start today. Tony Martin, Etixx, made sure his teammates knew he was cheering them on. Martin will not be allowed on a bicycle for six weeks. Orica-Greenedge has lost three riders. A minimum of six must cross the finish line in the team time trial scheduled for Sunday.
Stage 7 Results General Classification 1. Mark Cavendish, Etixx 1. Chris Froome, Sky 2. Andre Griepel, Lotto 2. Peter Sagan, Tinkoff +11” 3. Peter Sagan, Tinkoff 3. Tejay Van Garderen, BMC 4. John Degenkolb, Giant 4. Tony Gallopin, Lotto 5. Alexander Kristoff, Katusha 5. Greg Van Avermaet, BMC With nearly 27 hours of cycling competition, there is less than one minute elapsed time separating the first eight riders. Even though the race covers over 3000 kilometres, bare seconds separate the winners from the also rans in Paris. Saturday the peloton stays in Brittany with a run from Rennes to Mur de Bretagne. It is mostly flat but has a nasty little surprise at the end of the 181 kilometre day. For complete statistics, check out the official Tour de France page. Velo News has interesting information as well. Teklehaimanot was part of a three man breakaway that kept away from the main field from the 5 km mark and remained out front until being swept up about 3 km from the finish line.
Two riders have broken ribs but are continuing in the race. Michael Albasini, Orica, was forced to withdraw due to injuries he received in stage 5. The spectacular crashes that have knocked out two yellow jersey wearers as well as numerous other top athletes have renewed calls to reduce the size of the peloton. With 198 cyclists crowding narrow laneways, it is surprising that more wheel touches don’t occur. Stage 6 Standings General Classification 1. Zdenek Stybar, Etixx 1. Tony Martin, Etixx 2. Peter Sagan, Tinkoff 2. Chris Froome, Sky 3. Bryan Coquard, Europcar 3. Tejay Van Garderen, BMC 4. John Degenkolb, Giant 4. Peter Sagan, Tinkoff 5. Greg Van Avermaet, BMC 5. Tony Gallopin, Lotto Stage 7 will see the riders leave Livarot and proceed to Fougeres, a distance of 190.5 km. They will continue along the French coast to Brittany where three stages will be run. This will be a stage for the sprinters. Related from the tour: Tour de France 2015: Racism row ruins African team's landmark success Further reading: Le Tour Velo News |
Barbara McPherson
Blogger, gardener, farmer. Working toward food security and a 30 foot
diet. Addicted to reading. Love this planet, especially my little corner
on Vancouver Island, Canada Archives
October 2016
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