White Rock Lake Wildfire status update
BC Wildfire has now classified White Rock Lake wildfire as held. A drone is being flown in the area today as part of an aerial assessment.
Residents are returning to Ewings Landing, Killiney Beach and Westshore Estates after the evacuation orders for those neighbourhoods were rescinded late yesterday afternoon. An evacuation order remains in place for 18 properties on Bouleau Lake Road.
Residents returning the area must enter from the south along Westside Road as the north end of the road remains closed until further notice. No access will be permitted from the north to any properties in RDCO. Non-residents should avoid using Westside Road between Firwood Road and Irish Creek Road. There is no access to Parker Cove.
The North Westside Transfer Station will be open daily from 8am until noon starting Saturday, Sept 4 until the end of the month. There will be no limit on the volume of household waste impacted households can dispose at this time. Visit www.rdco.com/recovery for Return to Home details including fridge, freezer and garbage disposal.
Returning residents are reminded to stay out of the backcountry. An Area Restriction Order is in effect for all crown lands in in the vicinity of the wildfire. Details and a map can be found on the BC Wildfire Service website.
Before returning home, residents should consult the Re-Entry Checklist and other important information in the Returning Home Guide available at regionaldistrict.com/recovery. Copies of the guide are also available at the Shorts Creek Station 102 parking lot at 7355 Westside Road North between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The Emergency Operations Centre recommends that residents returning home bring bottled water with them. As a result of wildfire damage, a Do Not Consume Notice is in place for the Killiney water system. This water should not be used for drinking, making beverages, brushing teeth or food preparation. Killiney is also under stage four water restrictions, which means no outdoor water use except what is required for health and safety.
In addition, a Water Quality Advisory is in place until further notice for the Upper Fintry-Shalal Road-Valley of the Sun water systems.
Curbside pick-up of ruined fridges and freezers is available during the first week after evacuation orders lift for each area. Call 1-855-238-9350 to schedule your curbside pick-up. Please do not put fridges or freezers outside until just before your pick-up time to avoid attracting wildlife.
Telus crews have fully restored wireless services in the area, which means all customers can use their cell phones to make voice calls, send text messages, and connect to the Internet. Customers returning home that have a TELUS PureFibre connection will have fully operational Internet, TV, and SmartHome Security services. Customers on a copper connection will not have access to Internet and TV services immediately upon returning home.
Additional security is in place in fire impacted zones to support the return of residents to their neighbourhoods.
A Returning Home Information Session on Sep. 1 provided residents with information about what to expect as they prepare to go back to the area. The recorded session is available at: www.youtube.com/regionaldistrict.
As focus begins to shift to local-area recovery, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan has setup a dedicated recovery office. Area residents and property owners who experienced significant structural damage will be able to access resources at rdco.com/recovery, email recovery@rdco.com or call 250-469-6111.
