One-time limited property access opportunity, NR 10

White Rock Lake Wildfire

News Release no.10 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 La Casa due to the active White Rock Lake wildfire. *Corrected

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 La Casa to north of Traders Cove (intersection of Bear Lake Forest Service Road and Westside Road). *Corrected

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:

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