Info Session for White Rock Lake Wildfire – RDCO Residents

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News release No. 42 – Central Okanagan, B.C. — Aug 26 2021@12:34pm – The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre is confirming information provided to evacuees of the White Rock Lake wildfire to address inaccuracies circulating regarding financial support from provincial Emergency Support Services (ESS).

Volunteer workers at the ESS reception centres and call centres understand the frustrations and anxiety experienced by evacuees and appreciate patience and respectful behaviour as they help provide vital services to people in need.

ESS provides short-term basic support to people impacted by disasters. The support is based on need and the circumstances of an emergency event. Evacuees are required to register in order to receive support services.

Once support services move past the initial 72-hour emergency response, evacuees may be eligible for an extension of support. For Central Okanagan residents who have been evacuated, the following rules apply:

• Evacuated residents WITH homeowner or tenant insurance will not be given an extension for coverage and should immediately contact their insurance provider to find out what coverage is available.
• Evacuated residents WITHOUT homeowner or tenant insurance may receive support and should contact Emergency Support Services.

You can visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada for more information on the process of an insurance claim as a result of a BC wildfire at www.ibc.ca/ns/disaster/bcwildfire.

There are eligibility requirements for emergency support services. Homeowner or tenant insurance may provide greater support than the Emergency Support Services program. Check with your insurer to determine what may be available to you. For details on eligibility, see the Evacuee Living Assistance Policy (PDF, 378KB).

If you have questions about your existing services, the Central Okanagan ESS Reception Centre will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1480 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna or you can call 250-469-8512 to speak to a representative.

On August 25, the Province of BC announced additional financial support through the Red Cross for eligible evacuees. Find out more here: B.C. wildfire evacuees to get additional financial support | BC Gov News

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre will host an online virtual information session this evening for residents and owners of properties located within the Regional District of Central Okanagan who are on evacuation order from the White Rock Lake wildfire.

The information session is intended to address questions from residents on evacuation order, but other members of the public are also invited to attend tonight:

Thursday, Aug. 26
6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Livestream via the RDCO’s YouTube channel
View at www.youtube.com/regionaldistrict

For more information about this wildfire, visit cordemergency.ca, sign up for e-updates, follow the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre on facebook.com/cordemergency or twitter.com/CO_emerg or call the information line at 250-469-8490.

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News release No. 41 – Central Okanagan, B.C. — Aug 26 2021@9:56am – BC Wildfire Service says that the White Rock Lake Wildfire remains active and out of control with an estimated size of 82,000 hectares. Wednesday’s planned aerial ignitions removed approximately 600-hectares of fuel between the fire’s edge and the pre-established control line.

“The Drought Code in this area of the fire is resulting in incredibly deep burning forest fuels making it difficult to bring this area to full extinguishment,” says Hanna Swift, BC Wildfire Information Officer. “Yesterday, planned ignitions along the southeast flank were used to secure the fire perimeter burning north of Terrace Mountain, west towards the fire perimeter above Shorts Creek.”

A 20-person unit crew remained on-site through the night to set-up a hose-lay along this control line to begin mop-up. An infrared scan will be completed Thursday which will help crews identify hot spots.

The planned ignition operation was an important piece to securing safety for residents in this area. Once mop-up is complete, the BC Wildfire Service will reassess the safety of the area and recommend changes to evacuation orders and alerts accordingly. BC Wildfire remains hopeful, barring any unforeseen weather events, residents could be returning to their homes in five to ten days.

“BC Hydro crews are making good progress along Westside Road to remove danger trees and restore power lines where required. During the wind event on August 15, there was a substantial amount of damage to power lines. Restoring damages where feasible is crucial to ensure safety for residents before they return home,” says Swift.

The Evacuation Order for 1,316 properties and Alert for 850 properties, in the North Westside communities within the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, remains unchanged. Residents can visit cordemergency.ca/map to determine if their property is on Order or Alert.

Crews have confirmed that the wildfire has directly impacted 78 properties to date and the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has contacted most Central Okanagan owners whose properties have sustained significant structural damage. Property assessment work is ongoing as conditions allow, and is subject to change as crews gain further access to affected areas.

North Westside Fire Chief Alex Van Bruksvoort said the planned ignition by BC Wildfire above Valley of the Sun was deemed a success.

“North Westside Fire Rescue will continue their patrols, extinguishing any spot fires found,” said Chief Van Bruksvoort. “We are supporting BC Hydro and all other agencies as they rebuild the infrastructure to bring as many of you home as soon as possible. Please be patient as we make your community much safer moving forward, safety within the fire area needs to be paramount, as all areas are being safeguarded.”

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre will host an online virtual information session this evening for residents and owners of properties located within the Regional District of Central Okanagan who are on evacuation order from the White Rock Lake wildfire.

The information session is intended to address questions from residents on evacuation order, but other members of the public are also invited to attend tonight:

Thursday, Aug. 26
6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Livestream via the RDCO’s YouTube channel
View at www.youtube.com/regionaldistrict

Residents can submit questions for the panel in advance before noon today by going online. To watch the livestreamed community information session go to the RDCO YouTube channel at youtube.com/regionaldistrict.

For more information about this wildfire, visit cordemergency.ca, sign up for e-updates, follow the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre on facebook.com/cordemergency or twitter.com/CO_emerg or call the information line at 250-469-8490.

Media

AM 1150 – iHeartRadio.ca Aug 26 2021@4:42 AM Spot fire sparked at Hwy 97C and Hwy 97 (properties in the Central Okanagan, visit the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website.)

Castanet.net  Cindy White Aug 26 2021@4:00 AM (also AM 1150) CORD hosts virtual information session for evacuees from White Rock Lake fire (Emergency Support Services program, go to ess.gov.bc.ca. Residents can…)

CBCnews British Columbia Aug 26 2021@6:37 PM Fire-ravaged Okanagan residents frustrated by lack of information on fate of their homes (the Okanagan West director for the Regional District of Central Okanagan, whose home is…)

 Global News Aug 26 2021@6:17 PM Fewer evacuation orders and alerts for B.C. fires (in a row. The Regional District of Central Okanagan says an evacuation order…)

Global News  Kathy Michaels Aug 26 2021@ 1:59 PM Planned ignitions around White Rock Lake fire to send smoke across the Okanagan (in the north westside communities within the regional district remain unchanged.)

Castanet Darren Handschuh – Aug 26, 2021 / 10:43 am – BC Wildfire Service provides look at how crews have protected structures during White Rock Lake fire Protecting homes from fire