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The Citizen, 2003-08-27, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2003. Letter to the editor B.C. resident extends thanks THE EDITOR, I would like to extend my thanks to the Brussels community for showing such concern regarding the safety of my family. Several people have called and stopped by to see my parents (Hank and Agnes TenPas) to check on how we are doing here in this terrible time in the Okanagan. As of this morning (Sunday, Aug. 24) while I write this letter, my family and 1 are safe at home. We live outside of Kelowna in Lake Country, approximately 20 kms. from the raging fires. We remain on emergency alert, but things look fairly good for us for the time being. Health This past week the smoke has been very heavy with lots of ash in the air. Most days we cannot see across the lake or any blue sky. Yesterday we had a little break and and saw the sun and sky. It was so refreshing! There is not much more to say except it is very tense and frightening here. But, people are really pulling together and helping each other out. Last week I was home for a quick visit over the weekend, after a business trip to Toronto. I had the opportunity to visit and chat with many people around town. It is so great to hear and see that people from a small town Unit genuinely care about their own, even if some of us now live far away. The fires here appear to be the worst in B.C. history. Approximately 30,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and to date approximately 200 homes have been lost. Our premier has been here for a few days checking on the devastation and the prime minister is arriving this afternoon to show his support. For anyone who has internet access you can keep up to date on www.castanet.net. This website has daily updates and photos of the area. Once again I wish to thank everyone for their support and concern, we will keep you up to date if anything changes here for my family and myself. Linda (TenPas) Lang and family. Kudos to merchant THE EDITOR, Three cheers to our local Food Town store. Recently they not only helped the cattle industry but offered customers some excellent beef specials. Let’s remember all our local businesspeople for their excellent services to the Blyth community. Ruth Jardin. Uprooted I ast walk’s eiomn caused quite a mocc in com© areas as trees were uprooted and hydro lines felled. This mighty giant was ripped out of a Brussels lawn. (Sarah Mann photo) urges people to be vigilant Continued from page 1 were reported in late August and September. It is important that people continue to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites from now until the first frost. The Huron County Health Unit urges residents to remain vigilant in reducing standing water around homes, cottages and businesses. “Use personal protection against mosquito bites during the next two to three weeks as the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito and contracting the virus will be the highest during this period”, says Dr. Beth Henning, medical officer of Health. Eliminating areas of standing water is critical and is the single most important measure to reduce mosquitoes and control the spread of the West Nile virus stresses Dr. Henning as you are most likely to be bitten by a mosquito from your own backyard. Drain any areas of standing water on your property. Mosquitoes only need a cup of stagnant water to breed. To date in Huron County, there have been no human or equine cases of West Nile virus. Adult mosquito trapping and mosquito larval dipping conducted by the health unit and municipalities have found the types of mosquitoes known to carry the virus however none have tested positive to date. “Avoid areas with mosquitoes, especially during dusk and dawn when they are most active, and in heavily- wooded areas during the day”, said Henning. “Wear light­ coloured clothing and cover up whenever possible. Use insect repellent on exposed skin, carefully reading and following all product instructions found on the label.” For more information, please call the Huron County Health Unit at 482-3416 or if long distance, dial 1-877-837- 6143. Check out their website atwww.huroncounty.ca/health unit Staff works to get lights on Continued from page 1 night Thursday, other Huron East employees worked for several hours in other areas of the municipality trying to get the lights back on. Harpurhey was without power until approximately noon while areas in Morris Ward of Morris-Turnberry and in Brussels were lit up again by about 5:15 a.m. Much of Seaforth remained lit, but those areas affected were back on-line within an hour thanks to Festival Hydro. Blyth residents did not see a power outage, but only a few flashes of darkness. Blyth village workman Bill Bromley said there was very little to clean up in town except a few storm drains clogged with debris. However, the fire department responded to two calls. The first came at approximately 11 p.m. from Bill Craig in Morris when a bale of straw in the field was hit by lightning and burned. At 2 a.m., the department was call to a motor vehicle accident after a car struck a downed tree and hydro lines on Sawmill Road in Me Ki Hop, Huron East. The driver of the car was transported to Seaforth Community Hospital by ambulance, said Blyth fire chief Paul Josling. Forrest said work crews would be kept busy for some time clearing fallen branches and trees from the ditches as they prepare to do the roadside grass cutting soon. Never before have there been so many ways to get the kinds of help you need at home or in your community Services can range from in-home help with everyday ta ks to nursing and personal care support in a long-term care facility. Your local Community Care Access Care for Seniors brochure. Or visit www.health.gov.on.ca Sometimes, the best way . • • 1 1 Centre (CCAC) can help you and click on Seniors9 Care.