Map of White Rock Lake Fire area as of Monday Aug. 2 (Image credit: BCWS)

By Pete McIntyre

Monday update

Variable amounts of rain on White Rock Lake Fire, size up by 300 hectares

Aug 2, 2021 | 10:45 AM

The BC Wildfire Service is reporting the White Rock Lake Fire has grown about 300 hectares since Sunday, now estimated at 32,312 hectares.

BCWS said aggressive overnight fire growth was seen on Saturday, July 31, along the south flank towards Seaton Lake where much of the fire perimeter crossed over the Salmon River Forest Service Road.

“The increased estimated size of the fire today is a result of that growth. Heavy smoke is still hampering the ability of aircraft to fly and has impacted aerial firefighting efforts,” BCWS said on its website.

Variable amounts of precipitation were seen on the perimeter of the fire Sunday, August 1. The northern areas on the fire in the Westwold area got up to 10 millimetres of rain, which the BCWS said was enough to provide a reprieve from fire behaviour over the next 24-48 hours. The southern part of the fire received minimal precipitation.

“Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-20s. Winds will be 10-20 km/hr with gusts up to 30 km/hr in the afternoon. In the south, fire behavior continues to be quite active,” the service stated.

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The following evacuation orders were issued late Sunday by the Okanagan Indian Band, and regional districts of North Okanagan and Central Okanagan on recommendations by the Wildfire Service:

On August 1, 2021, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) partially upgraded the Evacuation Alert area to an Evacuation Order for 49 properties in the Electoral Area B, above Westside Road, north of the Central Okanagan Regional District boundary, west of the Okanagan Indian Band IR #1 and south and west of Six Mile Creek Road. The Evacuation Order for 20 properties and Evacuation Alert for 23 properties remains in effect. Please contact Regional District of North Okanagan /250-550-3700 for more information.

On August 1, 2021, the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) partially upgraded the Evacuation Alert to an Evacuation Order for areas below the Whiteman Creek drainage, south of the Mud Hole, including Parker Cove and Whiteman subdivision. The existing Evacuation Alert for the remainder of OKIB IR#1 Reserve up to Newport Beach including but not limited to Newport Beach, Old Mill site, Komasket Part Area, 6 Mile, Parkers Cove, and Whiteman’s Creek is still in place. Please contact the Okanagan Indian Band /OKIBEOCInformationOfficer@okanagan.org / 250-241-5809 for more information.

On August 1, the Evacuation Alert issued on Friday, July 31 for properties in the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) was raised to an Evacuation Order. In addition, a State of Local Emergency has been issued for the RDCO along North Westside Road resulting in an Evacuation Order for all properties in Westshore Estates. Please contact the Regional District of Central Okanagan /250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free) for more information.

The BCWS says crews are continuing to work towards safe, achievable operational objectives under extremely adverse conditions.

“Public and first responder safety remains the top priority. To protect the safety of the public and first responders, the BC wildfire Service will continue to evaluate the need for further evacuation order and alert recommendations,” the update stated.

Community Bulletin
The most up-to-date community bulletin can be found here: White Rock Lake Community Bulletin – August 2, 2021

Perimeter Map
The most up-to-date perimeter map can be found here: White Rock Lake wildfire Perimeter Map – July 29, 2021

Conditions
Conditions on site continue to be extremely smoky, which is hampering the ability for aircraft to fly and is challenging suppression efforts.

For more on the fire, and other fires of note, from the BCWS, click here.