Wind picks up this afternoon and tomorrow

White Rock Lake Wildfire

News Release No. 21, Central Okanagan, B.C. – With Environment Canada forecasting windy periods this afternoon and tomorrow, residents should remain vigilant.

Evacuation Alerts and Orders

Evacuation Alerts and Orders within Central Okanagan Electoral Area West will remain in place overnight. A detailed map showing the present status of Orders and Alerts affecting properties within the RDCO is at cordemergency.ca/map.

In addition, residents in Alert areas 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

If you are evacuated:

  • Pre-register online at ess.gov.bc.ca
  • Report to the Emergency Support Services reception centre in Kelowna at 1480 Sutherland Avenue for additional services such as vouchers for accommodation or food. The centre is scheduled to be open today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless conditions change.

Be FireSmart and watch for embers

With southwest winds predicted, residents throughout the Central Okanagan, but especially those in areas east and northeast of the White Rock Lake wildfire should be watchful.

There is a possibility of embers travelling significant distances, including across Okanagan Lake into the District of Lake Country. Residents are encouraged to watch for falling embers and to remove combustible materials from their yards near their homes.

The Lake Country Fire Department will continue to conduct patrols for hot spots in areas across Okanagan Lake from the current fire activity.  

Residents can help defend their homes from fire activity by:

  • Ensuring combustible material is removed from homes and yards. For more information on making your home FireSmart, visit BC’s FireSmart program.
  • Watching for falling embers and reporting wildfires by dialing *5555 from a cellphone or calling 9-1-1.

Temporary Access Permits suspended

On BC Wildfire’s advice, Temporary Access Permits allowing residents back into evacuated areas to collect items are no longer likely. This is due to the fire’s increased and unpredictable nature, along with windy weather this weekend.

For more information about this wildfire, subscribe for updates and follow cordemergency.ca, facebook.com/cordemergency or twitter.com/CO_emerg or call the information line at 250-469-8490.