Residents urged to be prepared for fire emergency

Stay informed on the latest wildfire information and evacuation notices in the Okanagan and across BC by visiting accurate and reliable information sources:

BC Wildfire Service: bcwildfire.ca
Regional District of Central Okanagan: https://www.cordemergency.ca/ (Lake Country Wildfire, Clifton/McKinley Fire, McDougall Creek Wildfire)

Receive updates from the City of Vernon:

Receive emergency updates from the City of Vernon by signing up to receive notifications through Alertable: www.vernon.ca/alertable or stay up-to-date with email updates through the City of Vernon website.

You can also follow the City on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@CityofVernon).

To help you and your loved ones feel better prepared to effectively face an emergency and stay safe, PreparedBC provides the following recommendations:

Have an emergency plan

An emergency plan is a is a playbook for how you and your household will respond to disasters, including wildfires. Knowing what to do will reduce anxiety and help keep you focused and safe. Start by downloading a fill-in-the-blanks emergency plan. When you’re done, communicate your plan with everyone in your household, and make copies for grab-and-go bags at home, at work and in your vehicle.

Refresh your grab and go bags

In the event of a wildfire, you may need to leave home quickly. Take time now to build grab-and-go bags for each member of your household so you’re not caught off guard. Do you have pets? Do you have young children? Are you a foster parent? Are you caring for seniors or people with disabilities? If yes, prepare and customize bags specific to their needs.

Prepare your home

We all play a critical role in mitigating wildfire risks around our homes and properties by undertaking FireSmart activities. Simple measures can make a significant difference to the survivability of structures by decreasing the intensity of a wildfire and slowing its spread.

Additional safety reminders:

Ensure your vehicle has fuel. The tank should always be at least half-full.
If you know someone who may not have access to the internet or regular news updates, share emergency preparedness information and resources with them.
With limited hotel and camping accommodations available during the high summer season, consider making a plan to stay with family or friends in a safe location, in the event of an evacuation.
Know the evacuation stages
- Evacuation Alert: This means be ready to leave on short notice
- Evacuation Order: You are at risk. Leave the area immediately
- Evacuation Rescind: All is currently safe and you can return home

To learn more about emergency preparedness plans and what other steps you can take this week, visit www.PreparedBC.ca or www.getprepared.gc.ca

Emergency Preparedness in Coldstream

Due to the extreme fire danger, recent weather conditions, and current drought conditions, the District of Coldstream would like to take this opportunity to remind all residents, visitors, and users of local infrastructure of the fire risk in our community, which is extremely high.

The District is monitoring the evolving wildfire situation and has emergency preparations in place should we need to act quickly. We are prepared and we encourage you to be as well.

Information on emergency preparedness

The Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes Coldstream and surrounding areas, is prohibiting open fires, equipment, and activities; including Category 2 open fires, Category 3 open fires, fireworks, sky lanterns, and burn barrels or burn cages. Failure to comply with the Provincial or Local fire prohibitions can result in fines of up to $10,000.

More information on fire bans

We all play a role in the prevention of wildfires. To report a fire within the District of Coldstream, call 911 immediately. To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-555 toll free or *5555 on your cell phone.

Please take a moment a subscribe to the District’s newsfeed and emergency alerts, so that you may receive updates directly:

RDNO encourages residents to be prepared

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is aware of the wildfire threat within the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), including West Kelowna, Kelowna and, Lake Country.

As a result of the Clifton/McKinley fire, transit services have been affected. BC Transit has advised that Route 90 UBCO / Vernon is currently suspended until further notice. In addition, the Regional District of Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has requested that waste intended for the Glenmore Landfill be temporarily diverted as a precaution, should the Glenmore Landfill be closed.

Commercial waste loads will be accepted at the Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility (GVDDF) carrying residential curbside collection, commercial haulers, and demolition/construction roll offs. The RDNO strongly encourages residential self-haulers to defer their trip to the GVDDF so that we can assist the RDCO and effectively manage the additional waste during this time.

We are monitoring the situation closely and have increased the readiness of the BX/Swan Lake, Silver Star and Lumby Fire Departments. The RDNO has activated their Emergency Operations Centre for assistance and preventative measures.

The RDNO also advises the public that its water systems are not designed for mass use of sprinklers on houses, as it runs the risk of lowering water pressure and using storage capacity when it is critically needed by the emergency responders.

Residents are strongly encouraged to be prepared in the event of an emergency and to stay safe by preparing an emergency plan and packing a grab-and-go bag (essential supplies for 72 hours). Visit www.PreparedBC.ca for more information on how to create a plan and what to include in your grab-and-go bags.

Additional safety reminders:

Ensure your vehicle has fuel. The tank should always be at least half-full.
If you know someone who may not have access to the internet or regular news updates, share emergency preparedness information and resources with them.
With limited hotel and camping accommodations available during the high summer season, consider making a plan to stay with family or friends in a safe location, in the event of an evacuation.
Know the evacuation stages
- Evacuation Alert: This means be ready to leave on short notice
- Evacuation Order: You are at risk. Leave the area immediately
- Evacuation Rescind: All is currently safe and you can return home

The public are encouraged to download the Alertable app which is used to send alerts and information about significant emergencies that occur within our Electoral Areas, along with posting information to our website at www.rdno.ca, Facebook page, e-newsletter (Emergency Management list), and sending information to local media.

by Vernon Matters Staff

Residents urged to be prepared for fire emergency

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