Operational update
Kelowna, B.C. – The Emergency Operations Centre provides the following operational update for August 25, 2023
Orders and alerts rescinded
Yesterday, properties previously under Evacuation Order within the City of Kelowna were downgraded to an alert status.
As of 9 a.m. approximately 2,663 properties remain on Evacuation Order in West Kelowna, 655 in Lake Country, 1,114 in the Regional District of Central Okanagan, Electoral Area and 50 in Westbank First Nation. There are 13,773 properties in total that remain on Evacuation Alert.
Residents on Evacuation Alert must still be prepared to leave their properties at a moment’s notice if fire conditions change. Please visit cordemergency.ca/map to view all existing orders and alerts.
As orders are downgraded, residents returning home can access frequently asked questions and other resources to aid in their safe return. For the safety of the public and fire crews, please do not enter areas under an evacuation order. There are still many areas where active firefighting is underway and dangers like downed power lines, hazardous materials, damaged trees, debris and equipment pose a safety risk.
Resources for residents returning to their homes include:
- Emergency Management BC
- Returning Home after a Fire
- Interior Health’s Emergency Information
- CORD Emergency Resources
Task Forces are patrolling alert areas and actioning hot spots in the District of Lake Country and City of Kelowna. Residents can report hot spots to the non-emergency line at 250-469-8577. Fire suppression crews are continuing to action the McDougall Creek Wildfire. Visit BC Wildfire Service (gov.bc.ca). for more information on current resources.
Property notification tool
An online search tool is available for City of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Central Okanagan West Electoral Area properties that have experienced total and partial losses resulting from the McDougall Creek Wildfire.
Property owners who have been placed on Evacuation Order can search to see if their property has incurred losses by visiting www.cordemergency.ca/propertyinfo. If your property has not been placed on Evacuation Order, your address will not show. The Emergency Operation Centre asks the general public to be respectful of this process – if you are not on Evacuation Order do not use the search tool.
The search tool follows the work of Canada Task Force 1 Team, which completed assessments to identify properties that incurred losses in the wildfires. This was the first step in aiding in the public notification process. Further hazard assessments must now be completed at each property, to determine the number and types of structures lost on each property. That process is completed in the City of Kelowna and District of Lake Country. The process will take longer but remains a priority in the communities of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and the Regional District of the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area where losses have been greater.
The EOC expresses condolences to everyone who has experienced losses from the McDougall Creek, Clifton/McKinley and Lake Country Wildfires.
Emergency Support Services
Residents currently on Evacuation Order who have not already done so are strongly encouraged to register with Emergency Support Services (ESS) at https://ess.gov.bc.ca to ensure contact information is up to date.
You will get faster service if you have your BC Services Card App, as this will verify your profile in the ESS Evacuee Registration and Assistance systems that support etransfer.
If you need support setting up your BC Services Card App before registering, please call 1-888-356-2741.
Evacuees should only attend a reception centre if they are unable to get support through the Provincial ESS Information Centre at 1-800-585-9559.
West Kelowna reception centre has relocated to Mount Boucherie Secondary School, 2751 Cameron Road. Hours are as follows:
- Friday, August 25, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Saturday, August 26, 9 a.m. - 4pm
- Sunday, August 27, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Additional reception centres are located at:
- Kal Tire Place at 3445 43 Ave. Vernon
- Princess Margaret Secondary School, 120 Green Ave West, in Penticton
For more information
Residents are asked to stay up to date with the status of alerts and orders through the CORD emergency site and to also subscribe to receive e-updates. Go online to cordemergency.ca. View the up-to-date evacuation order and alert areas on cordemergency.ca/map.
For more information, contact the information line at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free). While we welcome all inquiries, the Emergency Operation Centre is also appealing to the public to only call the public information line if their matter is urgent, if they are on Evacuation Order or if they have been called to confirm a loss on their property. This will allow the Emergency Operations Centre the time to focus resources on helping those who need it most at this difficult time. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
For municipal and local government information such as boat launch, park and road closures, visit their websites:
- City of Kelowna
- City of West Kelowna
- District of Lake Country
- Regional District of Central Okanagan
- Westbank First Nation
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