Significant property damage in Killiney area

2153hrs – Spoke again with the EOC Director and was told that the damage assessment team has found approximatly 70 structures (see News Release #26 below) impacted by the fire Sunday night. There are still some areas that were inaccessible for damage assessment so this number may still increase as these areas are assessed. Residents affected will be contacted directly and independently by RDCO for their damage assessments. This will have it’s own challenges as RDCO does not typically store residents phone numbers or email addresses.

  • 1503hrs – Spoke with the EOC Director Reardon and have some more information for residents impacted by the White Rock Lake fire. “As you have likely already heard, it was a tough night for the firefighters auctioning this fire in the North Westside.  The message we want here is that with Rank 5 & 6 Fire behaviour, there’s very little if anything we can do to protect every building out there.  Yes, 50 to 60 structures were damaged by the fire last night, but let’s not forget the 550 other properties that were saved because of the measures put in place and the brave actions of our firefighters. A site assessment is currently underway to verify those properties damaged.  Those affected will be contacted directly and advised of what has happened and provided information on what their next steps are. This fire is still very active and erratic.  Firefighters are auctioning this fire on a 24/7 basis. Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.  We encourage you to go to CORDEmergency.ca and subscribe for automatic updates.
  • 1238hrs – Just spoke with the EOC Director Reardon about the status of our community. They are estimating 50-60 structures lost or damaged between Ewings Landing, Estamont and Killiney Beach. The RDCO is sending a team from the EOC to the fire site for a more detailed assessment. When the information is compiled homeowners that suffered a loss or significant damage to their home will be notified directly and individually. The RDCO is currently trying to arrange access to the fire for those residents impacted by the fire.
  • I spoke with the EOC Director Brian Reardon just after 9:00am this morning. He had no detailed information and will not have any until after the 11:00am Wildfire Briefing. I have emphasized upon him that the residents of North Westside need detailed and specific information sooner rather than later. I also spoke with Ben Stewart who was about to join a meeting with Minister Conway. I asked Ben to urge the Minister to press Wildfire to release as detailed information on property damage as possible ASAP. I have also requested a boat or aerial video of our community. As soon as I get any information I will relay it. Should be more information by noon.

White Rock Lake Fire notification to property owners to commence tomorrow

News Release no. 26 Central Okanagan, B.C.– Aug 16 2021@10:37pm Crews were able to conduct 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 on Monday afternoon. As a result it is now estimated that approximately 70 properties have been significantly damaged.

“It is taking us longer than anticipated to confirm properties and owner contact information for the impacted area. Given the gravity of this news for home owners we are being diligent in confirming these identities,” says Brian Reardon, Director, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations. “We sympathize with and understand that residents are anxiously awaiting for updates about the status of their property.

“EOC officials are working tirelessly to provide information to property owners as soon as possible. We anticipate to start our calls tomorrow morning.”

The fire remains active and out of control and there are areas that assessment crews were not able to access for their safety. It is possible once it is safe to conduct further assessments that additional properties could have sustained significant damage.

No further information about damages to properties will be provided at this time. Property owners will be contacted directly.

Property owners in the Ewings Landing and Killiney area who have not yet registered with ESS, including owners who do not reside at the property, are encouraged to do so through the website: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/. This is one way that officals are able to confirm properties and their owners for contact.

The evacuation Orders and Alerts for the White Rock Lake Fire remain unchanged at this time. Residents will not be able to access their property and the area until it is deemed safe to do so.

A detailed map showing the present status of Orders and Alerts affecting properties within the RDCO is at cordemergency.ca/map.

For official situation updates and preparedness information subscribe and follow cordemergency.ca, facebook.com/cordemergency or twitter.com/CO_emerg or call the information line at 250-469-8490.


News Release No. 25, Central Okanagan B.C. – Aug 16 2021@2:49pm – 50-60 structures have been significantly damaged overnight in the Ewings Landing and Killiney areas within Central Okanagan Regional District on the west side of Okanagan Lake.

Crews will be conducting full assessment of damaged properties starting this afternoon. Officials will be working to contact property owners as possible. More information will be released as it becomes available through cordemergency.ca.

Please be aware that wildfire evacuees from the White Rock Lake and Mount Law and Wildfires can now register by phone by calling the Emergency Support Services (ESS) call centre at 1-833-498-3770.

In person attendance at the 1480 Sutherland Avenue ESS reception centre is no longer required, however, all evacuees should register.

Crews continue active suppression efforts in the Northeast face of the White Rock Creek fire.

We continue to ask everyone on Evacuation Order to please leave immediately to allow crews to focus on fire suppression.  Last night, the Fire Rescue boat needed to be pulled off of fire suppression duties to rescue people who had not left the Killiney area.

We also ask that everyone, including boaters, stay away from the area to allow access to aircraft and ground crews battling the fire. BC Wildfire has updated the White Rock Lake wildfire size to 62,273 hectares.

There are no changes in Evacuation Orders or Alerts within the Central Okanagan this morning for this wildfire.

The forecast is reporting rain and cooler conditions. Residents are reminded to remain alert and subscribed to cordermergency.ca for updates. A detailed map showing the present status of Orders and Alerts affecting properties within the RDCO is at cordemergency.ca/map.

Residents in an Alert area should remain prepared to leave their homes with short notice and to be away for an extended period of time. This includes making arrangements for pets and packing essential items such as medicines and important documents. Some ways residents can get prepared include:

  • Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit
  • Know where the water and power shut off are in your house
  • Have an evacuation plan, including for your pets
  • Visit cordemergency.ca/beprepared

The ESS centre at 1480 Sutherland Avenue is scheduled to be open today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless conditions change.

On BC Wildfire advice, Temporary Access Permits allowing residents back into evacuated areas to collect items are no longer likely. This is due to the expected winds today.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

  • Avoid the area so emergency responders can effectively perform their duties
  • Boaters are asked to steer clear of air support
  • Please only call 9-1-1 in case of emergency
  • Call *5555 on a cell phone to report a wildfire
  • Subscribe and follow cordemergency.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. 24, Central Okanagan B.C. – Aug 16 2021@8:44am – Multiple structures in the Killiney area experienced significant damage overnight as drought conditions and high winds increased fire action on the White Rock Lake Fire.

Early reports indicate limited structural damage at the Mt. Law fire this morning.

Due to evolving conditions crews have not been able to complete a full assessment of structure damage.  More information will be provided to property owners and the media as it becomes available.

All evacuation alerts and orders remain in effect. For a map of the affected properties in the Central Okanagan, visit cordemergency.ca/map.

Cooler temperatures are forecast for today and tomorrow, but fires remain out of control and are expected to be active today. Central Okanagan and BC Wildfire Fire crews will continue suppression efforts on the ground and in the air today. People are asked to stay away from areas close the fires to ensure the access and safety of first responders. Boaters should avoid areas of the lake being used by air support.

Residents in the Alert areas are advised 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, consider staying with friends or family in another area of the Central Okanagan, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.

A detailed map is available showing affected properties at cordemergency.ca. Residents can stay informed by signing up for e-updates at cordemergency.ca.

The Emergency Support Services (ESS) reception centre at Mount Boucherie Secondary has closed to streamline operations. Evacuees can pre-register with ESS online at ess.gov.bc.ca. Residents requiring assistance, including lodging, should report to the Emergency Support Services (ESS) reception centre at 1480 Sutherland Ave will be open today 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

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.

Emergency response personnel request that the public:

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  Caitlin Clow – Aug 16 2021 • 8:56 AM (also CastanetSignificant structure loss on Westside due to White Rock Lake wildfire (and Regional District of Central Okanagan. “Multiple structures in the Killiney area…)

Castanet.net  – Aug 16 2021 11:16pm – Central Okanagan officials to start calling about 70 property owners who lost structures in White Rock Lake fire  (Meanwhile, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre says as many as 60 structures…)

Related Posts

No Comments Yet.

leave a comment