SUNDAY UPDATE: No growth reported, military members joining work on fire lines

UPDATE 10:00 a.m. Aug. 29

There was no significant growth of the White Rock Lake wildfire Saturday, which remains at 81,362 hectare and is classified as out of control by the BC Wildfire Service.

The evacuation Order for 1,316 properties and 850 properties on Alert in the North Westside communities within the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) remain in place as does the orders and alerts for the Okanagan Indian Band, and the ongoing alerts in Vernon and Spallumcheen.

“RCMP are doing patrols on the water, and in all areas of North Westside to help ensure people are staying out of the area as we continue our fire suppression efforts and put out hotspots. North Westside residents are reminded that the area is still considered a live fire zone and there continue to be various hazards as a result of the wildfire,” said Fire Chief Alex Van Bruksvoort. “The agencies that are in the area are working under strict guidelines to keep everyone and everything safe.”

As a result of rain received in the Six Mile Creek area, conditions on-site today are again not favourable for the 3000-hectare planned ignition operation.

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The expansive size of the fire continues to require a substantial workforce to ensure mop-up and patrol operations are thorough throughout the entire fire perimeter. Yesterday, 60 Canadian Armed Forces personnel arrived on-site and beginning today, an additional 60 will arrive to assist with patrol efforts along the west and north flanks of the fire.

Given hot spots continue to be extinguished and ongoing mop-up activity, special access permits are not being considered at this time for residents to access the Evacuation Order area.

As of the last update on Saturday afternoon, the BCWS was reporting “positive progress along all flanks of the fire.”

“Infrared drone scans will continue to be carried out along the west, east and northern flanks to help personnel target remaining hot spots along these flanks. The expansive size of the fire continues to require a substantial workforce to ensure mop-up and patrol operations are thorough throughout the entire fire perimeter,” said the Wildfire Service on its website.

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UPDATE Saturday: Horgan visits Vernon fire camp, ignition delayed again, progress reported
Aug 28, 2021 | 8:00 AM

The BC Wildfire Service is still waiting to conduct a planned ignition operation in the Six Mile Creek area of Westside Road which looks like it won’t go ahead today (Aug. 28).

“As a result of rain received in the Six Mile Creek area, conditions on-site [Saturday] will again be unfavourable for the 3000-hectare planned ignition operation,” BCWS said in its update Friday evening.

The ignition would reduce fire fuel in terrain that is steep and inaccessible for firefighters, and the operation is seen as important before an evacuation order for that area of the Okanagan Indian Band could be lifted.

Meantime, BCWS said crews continue to see positive progress along all flanks of the fire.

“This afternoon, 5 mm of rain was received in the Fintry area, as well as minimal amounts in other areas of the fire. [Saturday], 60 military personnel will begin patrol operations along the west flank of the fire,” the update stated.

An infrared scan was expected to be conducted along the east flank of the fire Friday evening to help crews target remaining hotspots in the area.

The 81,362 hectare wildfire remains active and out of control with no change to the orders or alerts in place.

“North Westside Fire Rescue continues to support all outside agencies, including tree assessments, RDCO water engineering, and support for pets and animals,” said Fire Chief Alex Van Bruksvoort. “The men and women on the ground continue their dedicated work, including throughout the night, looking for and extinguishing hotspots. Thank you all for your patience as we work hard to safeguard the North Westside neighbourhoods so that residents can eventually return home.”

Earlier this week, Premier John Horgan along with Forests Minister Katrine Conroy and Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu visited the firefighter camp at Kin Race Track in Vernon.

“Honoured to spend time with firefighters & emergency personnel at the Vernon Fire Camp yesterday. It’s been a difficult wildfire season & we owe them so much for keeping people and communities safe,” said Horgan on Twitter Friday.

Honoured to spend time with firefighters & emergency personnel at the Vernon Fire Camp yesterday. It’s been a difficult wildfire season & we owe them so much for keeping people and communities safe. My thanks to @MLA_sandhu for hosting & showing me & @KatrineConroy around. pic.twitter.com/bxOaMjwGKV

— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) August 28, 2021

More progress on White Rock Lake fire, planned ignition delayed again
Aug 27, 2021 | 10:05 AM

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said crews continue to make progress on all flanks of the White Rock Lake wildfire west of Vernon.

The size has decreased a few hundred hectares to 81,483 hectares due to more accurate mapping on the southeast flank.

The fire is still active and classified as out of control.

BCWS officials say the winds are not favourable for the 3,000 hectare planned ignition on the northeast flank above the Six Mile Creek near the Okanagan Indian Band reserve.

That burnoff in terrain that is inaccessible to fire crews is seen as critical before the BCWS can consider recommending a change in the evacuation order for OKIB residents.

If and when the conditions are supportive, the BCWS said additional information will be provided prior to the process starting.

As part of the preparation work for the planned ignition, BC Wildfire in conjunction with the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department have been placing large blue containers
in strategic locations of Spallumcheen.

Each container holds 21,000 gallons of water and will be used by structural protection crews should it be necessary.

Large blue containers filled with water are being placed at strategic locations in Spallumcheen, in case they are needed. (Photo credit: Township of Spallumcheen)

“This is a precautionary measure only. There are currently no indicators that the fire is set to enter Spallumcheen’s borders. You may see increased fire truck activity on the road today as they work with BC Wildfire structure protection crews to identify and place these containers in the best locations,” said a news release from the township.

For more on Friday’s BCWS fire update, click here.

As shown in this video, planned ignition operations are critical to achieve containment in areas of the fire perimeter that are inoperable and unsafe for ground crews and heavy equipment to work. These operations remove fuels that would otherwise burn at a high intensity and… pic.twitter.com/gy8svX9qSY

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 25, 2021

“Weather is cooperating with the efforts of BC Wildfire, and amazing work is being done by several agencies,” said North Westside fire chief Alex Van Bruksvoort. “Dangerous areas are persistent, but are being dealt with daily and North Westside Fire Rescue firefighters continue to do patrols. Please continue with your patience as we all work so hard to make your community safe for your return.”

The evacuation order for 1,316 properties and alert for 850 properties in the North Westside communities within the Regional District of the Central Okanagan remains unchanged. Residents can visit cordemergency.ca/map to determine if their property is on order or alert.

Crews have confirmed that the wildfire has directly impacted 78 properties to date and the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has contacted most Central Okanagan owners whose properties have sustained significant structural damage. Property assessment work is ongoing as conditions allow, and is subject to change as crews gain further access to affected areas.

Central Okanagan evacuees can find out more about Emergency Support Services (ESS) by calling 250-469-8512 or by visiting the Central Okanagan ESS Reception Centre at 1480 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The following rules apply:

• Evacuated residents WITH homeowner or tenant insurance will not be given an extension for coverage and should immediately contact their insurance provider to find out what coverage is available.
• Evacuated residents WITHOUT homeowner or tenant insurance may receive support and should contact ESS.

You can visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada for more information on the process of an insurance claim as a result of a BC wildfire at www.ibc.ca/ns/disaster/bcwildfire.

There are eligibility requirements for ESS. Homeowner or tenant insurance may provide greater support than the ESS program. Check with your insurer to determine what may be available to you. For details on eligibility, see the Evacuee Living Assistance Policy (PDF, 378KB).