Update on White Rock Lake wildfire / Message MLA Ben Stewart
On Aug 18, 2021, at 1:27 PM, Stewart.MLA, Ben <Ben.Stewart.MLA@leg.bc.ca> wrote:
Dear evacuated citizens of North Westside, Beau Park, West Shores, Killiney Beach & Ewings Landing,
I wanted to update you further on the current White Rock Lake wildfire situation.
STRUCTURAL LOSSES
I know how important clear, accurate information is to you on your properties. Through recent meetings with the BC Wildfire Service, they confirmed the “Office of the Fire Commission” designates the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) as the “Rapid Damage Assessment Team”.
Earlier today I confirmed with Brian Reardon, the Chief Administrative Officer of the RDCO, that there has been damage to approximately 70 structures. Due to the current conditions, the investigation into structural loss is incomplete. The Rapid Damage Assessment Team hope to have the investigation complete by this Friday. Property owners that are impacted will be contacted directly by the RDCO. If you need more information please call 250-469-8490.
WHITE ROCK LAKE WILDFIRE UPDATE
The current update via BC Wildfire Service can be found here: Wildfires of Note (gov.bc.ca)
For more information about this wildfire, visit www.cordemergency.ca.
I recommend signing up for e-updates so they are delivered directly to your email inbox as soon as they are released.
A reminder that permission to return to evacuated areas can be found through registration with https://ess.gov.bc.ca/
My Constituency Office phone number is 250-768-8426 and email is ben.stewart.mla@Ieg.bc.ca.
Please share this newsletter update with your neighbours and friends.
Thanks again,
Ben Stewart, MLA
Kelowna West
#3, 2429 Dobbin Rd.
West Kelowna, British Columbia V4T 2L4
Office: (250) 768-8426
E-mail: ben.stewart.mla@leg.bc.ca
BC Wildfire and crews from local fire departments remained onsite overnight.News Release No. 29 Central Okanagan, B.C. — Cooler temperatures yesterday provided some relief to crews but conditions remain extremely dry. The White Rock Lake fire is still classified out of control and continues to be active.
“It’s been a very challenging week for our community and we appreciate the community’s patience and support during this very trying time for our community. While it is a relief to welcome residents of La Casa and Fintry back home, this event is far from over and we all need to continue to be prepared,” says Alex Van Bruksvoort, Fire Chief North Westside Fire Rescue. “I know many people in the evacuation areas are anxious to have get in and see their properties but it is not safe to do so at this time as the fire remains active and out of control.”
An early assessment of properties in the Ewings Landing and Killiney areas within the Regional District of the Central Okanagan on the west side of Okanagan Lake was conducted earlier this week. The Emergency Operations Centre has been working to contact property owners whose properties have been significantly damaged in the fires and have been in touch with most property owners.
Registration at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/ is important for all evacuated residents to register with Emergency Support Services even if they do not need assistance as this is one way property owners will be contacted when there is an update on the status of their property of when the time comes for escorted tours through the affected areas when it is safe to do so. Evacuated residents can call 1-833-498-3770 to register and access assistance, such as lodging and food, from Emergency Support Services.
There has been a generous outpouring of support from the community. ESS has enough accommodation for evacuees at this time and offers of private accommodation cannot be coordinated at this time.
Residents in the Alert areas are reminded to be ready to leave their home at a moment’s notice. They should be prepared to be away from their home for an extended period of time, pre-register with ESS online at ess.gov.bc.ca, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.
For a map of Evacuation Alerts and Orders in effect in the Central Okanagan, visit cordemergency.ca/map.
Residents can stay informed by signing up for e-updates at cordemergency.ca.
Visitors from outside of the Central Okanagan should check DriveBC.ca to confirm highways are open before heading back home. Anyone wishing to check whether friends or family have been evacuated can use the “Find an address or place” search feature on the website at cordemergency.ca/map. Properties within the red outline are on Evacuation Order and properties within the amber outline are on Evacuation Alert.
For more information about this wildfire, visit cordemergency.ca, sign up for e-updates, or call the information line at 250-469-8490.
Media
Kelowna Capital News Black Press – Aug 18 2021 • 2:00 PM (also Vernon Morning Star) Central Okanagan regional district directors express sorrow over wildfire losses (staff with the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre began contacting property owners…)
Global News Doyle Potenteau Aug 18 2021 • 12:05 PM White Rock Lake wildfire still out of control, now estimated at 81,139 hectares (1,463 properties within the Central Okanagan regional district are on evacuation order…)
