Expanded RDCO Evacuation Order for White Rock Lake wildfire – Ewing to Lake Okanagan Resort

One-time limited property access opportunity

 News Release No. 10

Date:         August 7, 2021

Time:        11:50 a.m.

 Central Okanagan, B.C. – All Evacuation Order and Alerts continue unchanged for communities along Westside Road in the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

The Evacuation Order affects approximately 2,127 properties from the northern RDCO boundary to the south end of Ewings Landing due to the active White Rock Lake wildfire.

A one-time extraordinary window from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. this afternoon is available for those evacuated late last night who were not able to get back to their homes and campsites.  This is only for those in the area from south of Ewings Landing to south of La Casa resort.  They are allowed during this time-period to return and retrieve vehicles, trailers and clothing and other essential items required, and exit the area as it remains under Evacuation Order.  Any returning resident must be out of the area by 3:30 p.m. so they do not get in the way of fire-fighting, endangering the lives of emergency responders.

A reminder that under an Evacuation Order, all residents must leave the area for their safety and that of first responders. As there are ongoing aerial fire suppression efforts underway, boaters must stay clear of the western shoreline of Okanagan Lake so they don’t interfere with helicopters or other aircraft fighting the wildfire.

In addition, approximately 817 properties are on Evacuation Alert and residents must be prepared to leave on short notice, should fire conditions change.  The Alert affects communities from south of Ewings Landing to north of Traders Cove (intersection of Bear Lake Forest Service Road and Westside Road).

A detailed map is available showing affected properties at cordemergency.ca.

Last night, in addition to structural fire crews with BC Wildfire, structural firefighters from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, North Westside, Joe Rich and Wilson’s Landing fire departments provided patrols through Evacuated areas.  They extinguished spot fires and provided other fire protection.  At this point, there are no reports of structural damage.  These crews are continuing to support BC Wildfire Structural fire teams.

BC Wildfire estimates the White Rock Lake wildfire at 55,000 hectares in size and remains out of control and challenged suppression efforts.

Emergency Support Services volunteers are staffing a reception centre for residents at 1480 Sutherland Avenue in Kelowna.  It’s open today from 12 – 8 p.m. to assist residents with in-person registration, and those requiring food and lodging assistance.  The centre will be open tomorrow (Sunday) from 12 – 8 p.m.

Evacuees and those on Alert can also register with ESS online at ess.gov.bc.ca.

Residents with pets and livestock that are on Evacuation Alert should pre-arrange animal housing needs with family and friends, as there is limited pet boarding available through the Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team organization.

Non-residents and those visiting in the Evacuation area should consider safely returning to their communities as ESS services are strained by evacuees across the Province.

Emergency Operations Centre staff are working with other response agencies to manage the situation and minimize the impacts. RCMP are conducting regular patrols in the evacuated area.

Westside Road is closed south of La Casa Lakeside Resort. Visit drivebc.ca for road closure updates.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

• Avoid the area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
• Please only call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.
• Call *5555 on a cell phone to report a wildfire.
• Monitor ca, facebook.com/cordemergency or twitter.com/CO_emerg for official situation updates and preparedness information

For more information about this wildfire, visit cordemergency.ca, sign up for e-updates, or call the information line at 250-469-8490.

---

News Release No. 9 Central Okanagan, B.C. – In light of continued aggressive behavior and unpredictable winds with the White Rock Lake wildfire, the Regional District of Central Okanagan has expanded its Evacuation Order.

Residents from approximately 975 properties previously on Alert along Westside Road are now under Evacuation Order and must leave their homes and campsites immediately.  The affected area runs south from Ewings Landing to the south end of La Casa Lakeside Resort.  This includes properties in:

• Valley of the Sun
• Upper Fintry
• Shalal Road
• Fintry Delta
• Fintry Provincial Park
• La Casa Lakeside Resort

Residents that require in-person help with food, lodging and Emergency Support Services registration should visit the reception centre at 1480 Sutherland Avenue in Kelowna.  The centre is open until 10 tonight and tomorrow from 12 – 8 p.m.  Online registration is also available through Emergency Support Services at ess.gov.bc.ca.

Non-residents and those visiting in the Evacuation area should consider safely returning to their communities as ESS services are strained by evacuees across the Province.  If you’re vacationing with a travel trailer and are evacuated, temporary parking is available at Jim Lind arena/Royal LePage Place, 2760 Cameron Road in West Kelowna

The Evacuation Alert area now affects residents living in Westside Road communities and subdivisions south of La Casa Lakeside Resort to north of Traders Cove (intersection of Bear Lake Main Forest Service Road and Westside Road).  Those in this area should be prepared to leave their homes with short notice in case fire conditions change.  Pre-registration is available with ESS online at ess.gov.bc.ca.

They should also make arrangements in advance for boarding of pets and livestock.

A detailed map is available showing affected properties at cordemergency.ca.

For information and updates on the wildfire visit the BC Wildfire Service White Lake Road Fire of Note webpage:

http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=855open_in_new

Emergency Operations Centre staff are working with other response agencies to manage the situation and minimize the impacts. RCMP are regularly patrolling the evacuated area and structural firefighting crews are providing fire assistance and patrols.

Westside Road is closed to all traffic south of La Casa. Visit drivebc.caopen_in_new for road closure details.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

• Avoid the area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
• Please only call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.
• Call *5555 on a cell phone to report a wildfire.
• Monitor cordemergency.ca, facebook.com/cordemergencyopen_in_new or twitter.com/CO_emergopen_in_new for official situation updates and preparedness information

For more information about this wildfire, visit cordemergency.ca, sign up for e-updates, or call the information line at 250-469-8490.

---

White Rock Lake (K61884) BC Wildfire Update

Last updated: Friday, August 6, 2021 at 10:02 PM

Location: 34 km northwest of Vernon
• See approximate location of this wildfire on an  interactive map
• View an interactive map of all active Wildfires of Note.

Discovered: Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Size: 55,000.0 hectares (estimated)

Status: Active
The White Rock Lake wildfire remains classified as Out of Control. Learn more about stages of control: Response Types and Stages of Control.

White Rock Lake wildfire perimeter map – August 6, 2021 1800

August 6 2100 Update
Southwesterly winds, gusting upwards of 40 km/hr, and Rank 4/5 fire behaviour is challenging suppression efforts. Structure protection personnel have a roving patrol set up along Westside Road, as well as in the Swan Lake area where personnel are prepared to defend from potential spot fires. Sustained winds and aggressive fire behaviour is forecast through the evening. To ensure public safety, the BC Wildfire Service continues to work very closely with impacted local governments to evaluate the need and recommend further Evacuation Order and Alert as required.

Last night, those who choose not to leave Evacuation Order areas put B.C.s first responders at tremendous risk. Efforts were taken away from actively suppressing the wildfire and protecting structures and were redirected towards tactically evacuating those who choose to remain in Evacuation Order areas. This continues to be an incredibly volatile situation displaying extremely vigorous surface and active crown fire with spotting upwards of one kilometre ahead of the main fire front. If you are in an Evacuation Order area you must leave immediately.