Status quo for RDCO Evacuation Orders/Alerts
Sorry for the delay in these last posts I am also evacuated and was temporarily unable to update my site. I am borrowing a neighbours WIFI to get this message out.
All water systems in the North Westside should be considered to be under a Water Quality Advisory until you hear different from the operator of your particular water system.
I have been speaking with RDCO for days and urging them to increase the number and frequency of the cordemergency.ca releases, and they have agreed to the changes. RDCO will now try to produce a minimum of three information releases on the fire daily including a brief from the North Westside fire chief. This is more in line with the 2003 Okanagan Park fire where the RDCO EOC was praised for their timely and accurate fire information to the public. This will be in an effort to provide more relevant and timely information to OUR section of the fire for OUR residents.
The challenge with this particular fire is that Incident Command is NOT in our regional district and BC Wildfire has a fire that covers four regional districts and five or more indigenous local governments. Think of the issues we all have dealing with one local government and multiply that by nine
As well I have heard from both Ben Stewart and Dan Albas our provincial and federal representatives. Both send their best wishes to our community and have offered any assistance they can provide.
Tuesday, August 10, 2021 – 12:45pm
The EOC and BC Wildfire daily, assess whether adjustments can be made based on fire behavior and potential weather changes that might affect the wildfire. With forecast hot temperatures later this week, it is possible that the fire behavior will also increase resulting in a rise in potential threat. The safety of first responders and residents remains the top priority and should any change in Orders and Alerts be approved, this information will be available at www.cordemergency.ca, sent to e-subscribers and disseminated via Emergency program social media and traditional media channels. When it is safe for residents to return, adjustments will be made to current Orders and Alerts. For information from the BC Wildfire Service on the White Rock Lake wildfire visit http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=855open_in_new
Emergency Support Services volunteers are continuing to assist evacuees from the Central Okanagan and across the province, displaced by wildfires. The reception centre at 1480 Sutherland Avenue in Kelowna is open from 12 – 8 p.m. today.
The 55,649-hectare White Rock Lake wildfire remains out of control. Structural firefighters and equipment from the Central Okanagan, supported by those from BC Wildfire and the Office of the Fire Commissioner continue to patrol areas within the North Westside Fire Service Areaopen_in_new.
North Westside Fire Chief Alex van Bruksvoort says “we have not lost any homes within the North Westside Fire Protection area. Its’ been another good day on the fire line. We have had a BC Wildfire Unit Crew and heavy equipment here for the past couple of days, along with trucks from all over BC. This short weather window has allowed time for some great work to be done on protecting homes in the North Westside Fire Protection area. Local crews will continue to FireSmart homes and patrol for hot spots, through the day and night. A big thank you for all the help as we get ready for the expected weather change this weekend.”
Residents in communities along Westside Road that are on Alert, must be prepared to leave their home on short notice. Information and links to help with emergency preparations is available at www.cordemergency.ca/beprepared.
For the latest information on Westside Road access and closures please visit www.drivebc.caopen_in_new.
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.
Media
Kelowna Capital News Caitlin Clow Aug 10 2021 • 9:30 PM (also Castanet, Daily Courier) UPDATE: Fire activity increases in Nashwito Creek area of White Rock Lake blaze (Regional District of North Okanagan, Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Central Okanagan Regional District, City…)
Global News Megan Turcato Aug 10 2021 • 5:21 PM RDCO conducts aerial survey of White Rock Lake fire to confirm status of structures (Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) conducted an aerial survey on Tuesday…)
Castanet.net Victoria Femia Aug 10 2021 • 2:43 PM (also AM 1150,Vernon Matters/Beach Radio, InfoNews, Capital News, Vernon Morning Star) Status quo on White Rock lake fire lines along Westside Road (area within the RDCO, no homes have been lost within the North Westside fire protection area…)
Castanet.net Colin Dacre Aug 09 2021 • 4:27 PM (also AM 1150, Vernon Matter/Beach Radio, Daily Courier) White Rock Lake fire evacuation orders lift for La Casa, Fintry (The Regional District of Central Okanagan has partially downgraded White Rock Lake fire evacuation…)
Kelowna Now Josh Duncan Aug 09 2021 • 12:13 PM (also Castanet, AM 1150, Vernon Morning Star, Vernon Matters/Beach Radio) 731 properties along Westside Road under water quality advisory due to White Rock Lake wildfire (The Regional District of Central Okanagan has issued a precautionary water quality advisory…)
