One of the roughly 75 properties in the RDCO's North Westside area destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Hazards identified

More assessments required for areas destroyed by White Rock Lake wildfire

Feb 10, 2022 | 4:25 PM

Preliminary assessments on the hazards caused by the White Rock Lake wildfire have been completed, but the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) says more needs to be done before moving on.

RDCO had requested that a Hazardous Condition Assessment and a Community Hazard Assessment be done after the fire destroyed around 75 structures in the Westside North area.

The assessments identified natural hazards associate with hydrologic and geomorphologic processes.

Hydrologic hazards, such as flooding, debris floods and sediment laden floods, are associated with the loss of vegetation and potential development of water repellent soils.

Geomorphic hazards include landslides, debris flows and soil erosion. Hillside stability impacts are associated with the loss of vegetation, exposed mineral soils and thermal expansion of rocks.

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It’s noted that these hazards may become more impactful in the spring due to snow melt and rain.

Along with ordering the assessments, the RDCO’s Resiliency and Recovery Centre created a recovery plan that coordinated and aided resident recovery needs with funding from non-profit organizations and Emergency Management B.C. (EMBC).

Common themes identified during that process include:

• Concerns regarding lack of insurance coverage to rebuild or repair
• Need for danger tree assessments and removal coordination and funding
• Request for short-term food allowances and longer-term accommodation support
• Coordination and funding support needed for debris and concrete disposal
• Identification of post wildfire hazards and recommendations for mitigation
• Confirmation of the rebuilding process
• Relief on current year tax assessments, water and garbage fees
• Assistance understanding complicated insurance policies
• Need for mental health counselling

The RDCO says as of January 31, nearly all short- and medium-term needs have been addressed. A new debris management program is being created by the RDCO in collaboration with the Red Cross and EMBC to provide funding for people without the proper insurance needed to cover the demolition and disposal.

Longer term needs are being delivered through various non-profits. The Red Cross is offering personalized individual and family support, housing repair and reconstruction and interim housing assistance; the Central Okanagan Food Bank is providing impacted people with food hampers and support; and Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers are helping with the repairing and rebuilding of homes and danger tree removal and site clean up.

With these steps complete or underway, the Resiliency and Recovery Centre is now moving on to the next steps:

• Requesting support from EMBC to extend the recovery manager by three months
• Requesting support from EMBC to extend the Environmental Planner, Building Inspector and planning administrative assistant by six months
• Requesting support from EMBC to fund additional environmental and hazard assessments at the sites of destroyed structures
• Requesting the EMBC support the facilitation of a public education and awareness campaign

It’s also noted that long-term erosion protections and refined mapping need to be done immediately.

The RDCO says following through on these processes will allow for them to move forward in assisting property owners rebuild their lost homes and structures.