Expanded Evacuation Alert for Brenda Creek wildfire News Release 3
News Release No. 3 Central Okanagan, B.C. – In light of current fire activity, BC Wildfire has considerably expanded the Brenda Creek wildfire Evacuation Alert within the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area of the Regional District of Central Okanagan.
A map showing the new boundary of the Evacuation Alert in the Central Okanagan is available at cordemergency.ca. The Alert continues to extend into portions of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) and Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD). Local information is available on their websites:
Residents, businesses and those camping in recreation sites within the Alert boundary should be prepared and ready to leave on short notice if fire conditions require an Evacuation Order.
Emergency Operations staff are continuing to work with BC Wildfire, BC Hydro and other agencies to monitor the wildfire and its potential impact. They are consulting on planning efforts should the wildfire impact electrical service to adjacent communities of West Kelowna, Peachland, Westbank First Nation reserves #9 and #10 and areas serviced by BC Hydro within the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.
In the event of any extended power outage, residents and businesses in those areas should make the following considerations:
- Ensuring that an alternate drinking water supply is be available or they may need to store enough water for their needs in advance
- Normal air conditioning and cooling will not be available, especially in light of our higher than normal temperatures. Interior Health has information on Extreme Heat Events, where to take shelter and how to prevent heat-related illness on its website https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/Emergency/ExtremeHeat/Pages/default.aspx
- Without electricity, residents and businesses may also wish to make plans for food storage, refrigeration and consider steps to safely ensure their food supply lasts for an extended period of time.
BC Hydro has information on its website to assist anyone that could be affected by an extended power outage stay safe – bchydro.com.
The Emergency program reminds all Central Okanagan residents that they should know the risks of potential emergencies, make a plan and prepare grab and go kits in the event they are required to leave their homes for at least 72 hours.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website, cordemergency.ca, is a centralized location for regional public emergency and preparedness information, including links to useful provincial and federal emergency resources such as PreparedBC, BC Wildfire Services, Emergency Management BC and Air Quality readings.
Be sure to sign-up for e-updates to receive timely updates directly to your inbox about emergency incidents. The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre also provides information on Facebook at facebook.com/CORDEmergency and Twitter at twitter.com/CO_Emerg.
