So…now Kari is at the bottom of a steep run with four broken vertebrae. Search and Rescue has found her, and the team goes down to get her stabalized on a back board. Our Search & Rescue Friend Mike is helping the pilot get the helicopter ready to transport so is lying under the machine, when he hears the pilot yell F**k! He sticks his head out to see that the wind from the rotors has somehow ignited a log in the landing area that was obviously smouldering-as it is now in flames. They quickly put it out with some water they have on-board and with relief go back to getting the ride ready.

Unfortunately, it seems the wind also scattered burning embers down the slope. Now Mike hears a scream from the pilot “FIRE” and they jump up to see small trees literally exploding like firebombs. The tinder dry forest is crackling in a fire that is spreading faster than a man can run. They quickly call it in, and with the flames growing around them the pilot says, screw this, I’m out of here”, and lifts off. Mike runs to his truck and careens down the track, through burning trees and brush, and with foot mashed on the gas pedal, manages to get 5 minutes ahead of it. As he is attempting his get-a-way, the fire bomber drops its first load of water onto the blaze.

Mike slides around a corner and sees some campers…he brakes to a stop, “FIRE, get out of here!” he yells.
Calmly they tell him that “their kids are just swimming and they thought they’d maybe leave around 2…”
Amazed he looks at them and says, “normally I would have to stay here with you, but not today, I’m out of here, that fire is 5 minutes behind me!” He peels out and gets away.

Back to Kari, the fire is burning downwind from her and the rescue team, but by the time they get the fire put out and the area safe to fly into again she has been waiting four hours. She gets a long-line lift into the chopper and then a quick ride down to Lions Gate Hospital. She went into surgery today, and I have not heard her prognosis yet…

I got to hear the story from both sides of the fence.

And you wonder why Whistler has so much respect for its search & rescue volunteers. Many lives would have been changed without these amazing people yesterday! We are hopeful for Kari and thankful that she is also still with us.