'I was going to die': Calgary hiker recounts escape from B.C. wildfire

A Calgary woman's hike in the woods turned into a run for dear life when she ran into a wildfire that forced more than 1,000 people in B.C. from their homes this week.

Cynthia Row is from Calgary but has been inKelownasinceJune. An experienced mountaineer, Row is often out hiking, white-water rafting or skiing.

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She was out for a hikeon the High Rim trail near Kelownaon Thursday when herwalk was interrupted by the sound of a helicopter.

"I heard a helicopter overhead, which was odd because it's usually quiet," Row told the Calgary Homestretch.

Thinking someone may be lost on the trail, Rowwalked up to a ridge where she could be seen by the helicopter. When Row looked back down the trailshe noticed a large plume of smoke rising into the air.

'Ididn't realize Iwas in danger'

The fire started on Thursday about 20 km east of Kelowna, in the Joe Rich area.

Row made a call to 911 when she saw the flames, but reception was poor and the call was dropped.

"I was only about three or four kilometres from the highway, so Ichose to run back down the trailinto the windtowards the plume because the other optionswere dicey," Row said."But Ididn't realize Iwas in danger at that point."

As Row continued back down the trail toward Highway 33 she could see flames getting closer and the smoke plumerising aboveher.

"It was pretty windy and the smoke was very active.I could see flameshundredsof feet into the air," Row said."It was moving quickly. It was obviously taking off quickly."

Row said she tried to skirt around the fire and thought she was "free and clear" when sheran into "awall of flame" cutting off the trail.

Row was able to make another call to 911 but emergency services couldn't give her instructions on how to get to safety.

Running and bushwhacking

With the trail cut off by flames in both directions, Row said she panicked.

She was still on the line with 911andsaid she weighed her options with the operator.

"They agreed that if I stayed where I was, I was going to die," Row said, deciding that if she was going to make it to the highwayshe would have to go through the bush.

Row said she started"running and bushwhacking" away from the firebuthad to maneuver aroundmore flames.

Row's ordealfinally came to an end when she found a dirt road which took her to the highway and to safety.

Even though Row is a thrill seeker she said her close call with the fire was an adrenaline rushunlike any other.

"I have never experienced such fear for my life or helplessness," Row said.

"I had not chosen for that event to happen and to be trapped in it was a very, very helpless, terrible feeling."

On Friday, the B.C. Wildfire Service said thefire had grown to 380-hectares and was within a kilometre of houses.

Highway 33 has beenclosed through the area and the evacuation remains in effect.

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