UPDATE: Spallumcheen keeping evacuation alert in place

This fire remains very active along all fronts. At 19:00 hrs on Friday, August 6, 2021 the Township of Spallumcheen in an abundance of caution issued an evacuation alert for the entire Township.
After calls today with BC Wildfire and Emergency Management BC, the Township remains on an evacuation alert.

The primary reasoning we remain on alert, is due to the size of our municipality with some challenging and remote terrain as well as the number of large agricultural producers located in the Township. The Township will continue to re-assess all evacuation alert recommendations.

We are asking all residents to ensure they have all required emergency planning in place for their home and family. There is currently NO NEED to evacuate your homes. Please wait for
an evacuation order to be issued to avoid congestion on the roadways for other areas that have been evacuated.

Our agricultural producers need to have a plan in place regarding livestock. If you need assistance with a livestock emergency plan, contact our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 778-442-8007 and EOC staff will liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The EOC remains operational throughout the day and into the night in a mobile fashion. If you have questions related to this evacuation alert, please contact the Township EOC at 778-442-
8007.

Evacuation alert issued for all of Spallumcheen and Armstrong
Aug 6, 2021 | 10:15 PM

Issued by Township of Spallumcheen:

Our local fire department along with staff are closely working with BC Wildfire Service and Emergency Management BC regarding this fire.
We have issued this alert due to strong winds and increasingly aggressive fire behaviour which can cause ember showers.

We ask residents to be diligent in watching for embers and spot fires caused by embers. At this time, the Township is encouraging residents to ensure they are conserving water resources for fire fighting efforts. We are asking all residents to ensure they have all required emergency planning in place for their home and family.

There is currently NO NEED to evacuate your homes.
Please wait for an evacuation order to be issued to avoid congestion on the roadways for other areas that have been evacuated.

The Township of Spallumcheen encourages our residents and visitors to be vigilant, prepared, and remain safe as we navigate through this challenging wildfire season.
The Emergency Operation Centre remains operational tonight in a mobile fashion. If you have questions related to this evacuation alert, please contact the Township at 778-442-8007.

Evacuation alert issued for all of Spallumcheen and Armstrong
Aug 6, 2021 | 7:31 PM

An evacuation alert has been issued for all residents in Spallumcheen and Armstrong

“Due to the aggressive behaviour of the White Rock Lake wildfire, the entire Township of Spallumcheen and City of Armstrong need to prepare for the possibility of an evacuation,” a news release from the township said on Friday night.

Aggressive fire behaviour and southwesterly winds, gusting upwards of 40 km/hr, are challenging suppression efforts on the White Rock Lake wildfire (K61884). Predominant fire growth this afternoon has occurred along the eastern perimeter, west of Westside Road. pic.twitter.com/QRCuUrMrnx

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 7, 2021

Based on a recommendation from the BC Wildfire Service and due to the potential danger to life and health, the township has issued the alert for the entire municipality. The City of Armstrong has also issued an evacuation alert for the entire city.

Residents are asked to prepare for potential evacuation.

“An Evacuation Alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions,” the release stated.

The White Rock Lake wildfire, northwest of Vernon, has been showing aggressive behaviour again today and at last report, was burning about five km’s west of Westside Road.

The fire size grew to 45,000 hectares overnight and that’s the current estimate as well.

“Aggressive fire behaviour and southwesterly winds, gusting upwards of 40 km/hr, are challenging suppression efforts,” said the BCWS on its website Friday night. “Predominant fire growth this afternoon has been observed along the eastern perimeter, west of Westside Road. Rotary-wing resources continue to work where feasible and structure protection personnel are prepared to defend at risk neighbourhoods.”

The BC Wildfire Service will continue to work very closely with impacted local governments to evaluate the need for further Evacuation Order and Alert recommendations as required, to ensure public safety. The public is urged to maintain heightened awareness of the evolving situation over the next 24-hours. Please reach out directly to your local government authority for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders. (BC Wildfire Service)

The raging fire wiped out the community of Monte Lake on Thursday night.

The City of Vernon issued an evacuation alert Friday afternoon for homes northeast of Okanagan Lake due to concerns about fire embers from the White Rock Lake fire drifting to other areas.

A large amount of ash from the fire has been falling in the Vernon area.

Here's our White Rock Lake Fire Update on August 6 at 18:00 Hours. This will be our last update for the evening, unless the fire situation changes. See: https://t.co/8pXrROB4Yd #SEP #CSRD #YourCSRD #shuswap #falklandbc pic.twitter.com/UAt1kF5ju8

— Shuswap Emergency Program (@shuswapemerg) August 7, 2021

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

• Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area, should an Evacuation Order be called while separated.

• Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers(e.g. insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needsfor dependents and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure. • Prepare to move disabled persons, children and/or neighbours, if assistance is needed.

• Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area (if possible).

For those with registered premis IDs you can email emergency.management.interior@gov.bc.ca for assistance with your livestock needs.

• Arrange transportation for all your household members. Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles. If transportation assistance is needed for Spallumcheen residents, call 778-442-8007.

• Arrange accommodation for all members of the residence, if possible.

• Wait for an Evacuation Order to be issued before evacuating.

Monitor news/ radio/ Township website www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca for information on evacuation orders and location of Reception Centres.

Further information will be issued on the website at www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca.

by Pete McIntyre

UPDATE: Spallumcheen keeping evacuation alert in place

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