(Photo credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By Russ Byth

Fire update

White Rock Lake wildfire ‘stalled,’ no significant growth overnight

Aug 8, 2021 | 1:15 PM

The new estimated size of the White Rock Lake wildfire, west of Vernon, is 55,700 hectares, up by 700 ha. from Saturday.

In its update at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, the BC Wildfire Service said the fire remains active and is still classified as out of control.

“With the current weather conditions, the fire has stalled with no significant growth overnight,” the update stated. “There continues to be moderate growth in active areas on the north, northeast, and southeast flanks. The fire is as far as the Siwash Creek area on the northeast side. The fire is ~ 2km south of Whitemans Creek on the southeast flank and is currently showing diminished fire behaviour along the entire southern flank. The eastern flank is very visible to surrounding communities (especially at night), and in certain areas the fire is approximately 100-250 metres west of Okanagan Lake. The Westside Road area is a primary focus of structure protection.”

The City of Vernon continues to monitor the White Rock Lake fire and is in close contact with BC Wildfire Service regarding the fire’s activity and potential impacts within Vernon’s municipal boundary.

An Evacuation ALERT remains in place for the following areas (see map below):

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Canadian Lakeview Estates
Adventure Bay
Tronson Road between 8125 to 9280

The Alert remains in place out of an abundance of caution and in consideration of the weather forecast for the next few days.

Weather and fire conditions continue to evolve. Residents in all parts of Vernon are encouraged to remain vigilant, be prepared and continue monitoring updates from the City on its website and social media channels, from the BC Wildfire Service’s updates, and to continue following local news updates.

Learn more about how to prepare yourself and your household to respond to an emergency here.

(Vernon Matters Staff)

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Weather break for everyone
Aug 8, 2021 | 9:15 AM

The rain and cool temperatures have been a welcome sight for both residents and firefighters alike in the Okanagan.

Today’s forecast calls for showers, sun breaks and a slight chance of thundershowers later on. Smoke could be drifting through the valley, but the air quality has improved. Sunshine and temps in the low 30s are predicted for midweek – normal is upper 20s.

Evacuation alerts continue this morning for a small area of Vernon due to concerns about flying ash from the White Rock Lake wildfire which is still estimated at 55,000 hectares. It is being fought by more than 250 wildland and structure protection firefighters along with 13 helicopters and more than 3 dozen pieces of heavy equipment.

Evacuation orders continue along the north section of Westside Road, which remains closed to traffic in both directions between Pinecrest Road and Six Mile Creek Road, 38 to 46 km from West Kelowna.

There are more evacuation orders and alerts to the west and north of Vernon.

Highway 97 is closed in both directions between Salmon River Road and Monte Creek – 6 km north of Vernon to Monte Creek.

More info at:

www.vernon.ca

www.rdno.ca

www.cordemergency.ca