(File photo of White Rock Lake wildfire/BCWS)

By Pete McIntyre

Update

UPDATE: Evacuation alert issued for Armstrong

Aug 15, 2021 | 6:15 PM

The City of Armstrong, on the advice of BC Wildfire, has issued an Evacuation Alert for the residents, businesses, and visitors of the City.

The City is currently on an Evacuation Alert as a precautionary measure due to rapidly changing conditions at the White Rock Lake Wildfire. The Evacuation Alert is proactive at this time and is not an Order to leave the area. The fires are unpredictable in nature but remain approximately 20km from the City.

Listen to interview with Armstrong mayor Chris Pieper below.

The City encourages residents to prepare to leave their homes in the event that the Evacuation Alert is upgraded to an Evacuation Order, by doing the following:
• Get prepared https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparednessresponse-recovery/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/wildfires
• Prepare a “Grab ‘n Go” bag while on alert. Preparation now will ease some of the stress
of evacuating and ensure that you have necessary items with you if you need to
evacuate.

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The City encourages its residents to consider where you can go in the event the Evacuation Alert moves to an Evacuation Order, such as out of town family or friends and reach out to them
• Consider transportation options and make arrangements in advance
• Take pictures and/or video of your house and belongings for Insurance purposes
• Gather contact information for those that you may need to contact in the event of an order
o BC Social Services https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
Residents that live in an Evacuation Order or Alert area are asked to register online at http://ess.gov.bc.ca By registering on-line, it will save residents considerable time and effort
should they need to access Emergency Social Services.

The Emergency Operations Centre will be providing updates as the situation progresses and will post all information to the City website: https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/content/emergencymanagement
==

No alert for Armstrong as fire activity is monitored Aug. 14, 2021

While neighbouring Spallumcheen has issued an alert for some of its properties, the City of Armstrong is not following suit at this point.

Armstrong’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains activated at Level 1 for wildfire advance planning and quick mobilization of emergency plan procedures and resources. The EOC is monitoring the White Rock Lake wildfire situation and working closely with the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department, BC Wildfire, Spallumcheen EOC, neighbouring communities and Provincial Emergency Services to ensure a quick response and protection of our residents.

“At this time the City of Armstrong is not under any type of evacuation alert however we encourage residents to prepare a Grab ‘n Go bag. Preparation now will ease some of the stress of evacuating and ensure that you have necessary items with you if you need to evacuate,” stated a news release Saturday from Warren Smith, Community Services Manager and Emergency Program Coordinator and Dawn Low, the city’s Chief Administrative Officer.

Increased fire activity in the area is forecasted over the next few days, including significant winds that will move fires quickly due to the nature of the terrain. The province has issued a travel warning for part of the Interior Region, which includes the City of Armstrong as well as Enderby, Spallumcheen, OKIB and parts of the RDNO. The province is asking people to not travel to parts of the Interior until further notice.

The City of Armstrong is advising persons that are under evacuation order to register with your local reception center, online at www.ess.gov.bc.ca or by calling 1-800-585-9559 Currently, the City of Armstrong continues to offer assistance and support as a host community to those that have been evacuated due to the White Rock Lake fire. All evacuees will be required to enter the facility grounds on Pleasant Valley Boulevard and to produce their individual ESS number to the gate attendant for sign in and assignment of pens/campsite.

“The City of Armstrong Emergency Services is watching the wildfire situation closely and will provide updates as the situation changes, for the time being Armstrong is not under any alerts or orders,” said Mayor Chris Pieper

Community Services Manager and Emergency Program Coordinator Warren Smith said that although the city is not under an alert, any advanced preparedness can avert people from being overwhelmed,

“Talk with your family, your friends, your neigbours and work together to support each other. The city will continue to provide updates as the situation changes. Residents are reminded to be prepared to leave your home with little notice,” Smith advised.

For more information on evacuation preparedness please review the EMBC website at https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/ and check the City Website for updates at Home | Armstrong (icompasscms.com).