Update on White Rock Lake wildfire / resident meetings / Message MLA Ben Stewart
I have met individually and with small groups of residents that have requested meetings with me for information on the evacuation, wildfire and property damage in the North Westside. If you wish to meet call me (250-801-4859) and we can set something up. I am evacuated but have been using the RDCO offices for these meetings as I have 24/7 access and most residents are in the Kelowna area. I post all information I have as soon as possible after receiving it.
If residents have not received a call from the EOC it is determined that based on current conditions and initial assessment that their home has not been significantly damaged. – EOC Director
Dear Westside Road constituents,
Included in this email is the latest update from the Central Okanagan Emergency centre.
Just had a Wildfire update with the BCWS in Vernon on the White Rock Lake Fire. Today the winds are still up to 60 km/hr. Fire guards have been completed from Terrace Mtn. fire (2009) to Stuart Lake as well a guard at Irish Creek is complete.
Today there are still small hand ignitions taking place above residents property to remove fire debris between interface and homes.
Also BCWS advises the Central Okanagan Regional District should have reached out to all effected property owners of damaged property. As well they are responsible to organize a tour for residents and media. I’m trying to get the timeline on when evacuees will be able to tour their neighborhood, I will advise on this once I speak with the EOC.
Earlier today I visited the Evacuation Centre at the Salvation Army’s operation at 1480 Sutherland Ave. Clearly it is still very active with many of you being out of your homes for many weeks. The following is a note I received from Emergency Mgt. B.C.’s Assistant Deputy Minister, Madeline Mayley.
Subject: RE: RESPONSE: Any progress on emergency supports
Good Afternoon
We will be extending ESS supports to households who lost their primary residence and who do not have insurance through to Oct 1. We will continue to work with communities regarding longer term solutions.
Our ESS Team has a fact sheet which is in the process of being updated and I will forward to you once complete.
Madeline
Madeline L. Maley (she/her)
Assistant Deputy Minister Regional Operations
Emergency Management BC
A group of Wildfire MLA’s are actively working with all levels of government to seek support to assist everyone in rebuilding their homes. I hope that we will have answers on this shortly.
Please feel free to reach out if I can assist in any way.
Ben Stewart,
MLA Kelowna West,
BC Official Opposition Housing Critic
#3 – 2429 Dobbin Road
West Kelowna, B.C.
V4T 2L4
250 768 8426
News Release No. 34 Central Okanagan, B.C. — Aug 22 2021 – While the White Rock Lake wildfire is less visible today, the 80,700 hectare fire remains active and out of control. The Evacuation Order for 1,316 properties and Alert for 850 properties remain unchanged for properties in the North Westside community within the Regional District of the Central Okanagan.
Overnight crews continued fire suppression activities into the early morning hours, including extinguishing hot spots. Today, the North Westside Fire Rescue, BC Wildfire Services and provincial firefighting crews are conducting fireguard.
The weather has been favorable, with cooler temperatures over the weekend supporting fire efforts. However, conditions remain extremely dry and crews are preparing for forecasted high winds later today.
“BC Hydro is on site today and working with fire crews to install new power infrastructure for the North Westside community,” said Alex Van Bruksvoort, Fire Chief North Westside Fire Rescue. “And as our crews work with provincial fire crews coming into the area today, we want the public to know that we are working hard in collaboration with all agencies involved. We know residents want to return home, and we are doing all we can to ensure this can happen when it is safe to do so.”
While there is not a specific time-frame for when evacuation orders will be lifted, evacuees should expect that they will not be able to access their home for an extended period of time.
Evacuees are reminded that they cannot access their properties while the Order is in place. Even in areas where the fire has passed through, embers can go deep into tree roots and flare up at any time. Avoiding the area ensures that emergency responders can effectively and safely perform their duties.
“This week our focus in the Emergency Operations Centre is to support residents who have lost their homes as they start the recovery process,” says Doug Gilchrist, Director, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations. “Fire conditions permitting, we will be doing this by coordinating a site visit with these home owners, providing a limited media site visit and we are also planning for a virtual town hall meeting for the owners of these approximately 70 properties.”
“We know there remains thousands of other residents deeply concerned for their homes. We ask for their patience and I can assure them we are working hard alongside crews on the ground and partner agencies to determine when it may be safe to return to their home,” says Gilchrist. “We understand the stress involved with the uncertainty that this fire is providing and will provide more detailed information as soon as it is available for the 1,300 evacuated properties.”
Nearly all property owners whose properties have sustained significant damage have been contacted directly. If residents have not received a call from the EOC it is determined that based on current conditions and initial assessment that their home has not been significantly damaged. That being said, not all areas have been able to be accessed due to the active fire and the possibility of hot spots and flare ups remain. It is anticipated that some homes may have sustained smoke and water damage, and that restoration work may be needed.
Evacuated residents can call 1-833-498-3770 to register and access assistance, such as lodging and food, from Emergency Support Services. The ESS reception centre at 1480 Sutherland Avenue is open today from noon until 6 p.m. and will be open tomorrow, Monday, August 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registering with the ESS, even if you do not need support, provides a way for the EOC to contact property owners whose properties have been damaged.
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
InfoTel News Carli Berry Aug 22 2021@3:46 PM Firefighters see winds gusting to 60 km/hr on eastern side of White Rock Lake wildfire (white Rock Lake wildfire burning in the North and Central Okanagan. Wildfire information officer…)
