Vernon’s EOC remains open, FireSmart collection bins available

Aug 29, 2023 | 6:00 AM

The City of Vernon continues to support people forced from their homes due to wildfires through the Emergency Operations Centre, while also collecting yard and garden waste that may pose a fire risk for area residents.

The Emergency Support Services (ESS) Reception Centre was operational Monday, August 28, to support people impacted by wildfires in the Central Okanagan and Shuswap.

The city stated a total of 2,4000 displaced evacuees had been assisted through Vernon’s ESS program since August 17.

The reception centre is located at Kal Tire Place and is operating between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays.

The city stated there has been a reduced level of emergency response activity locally, and the ESS call centre will be closing. People in need of assistance can still contact the B.C. ESS at 1-800-387-4258, and anyone with questions related to Evacuee Registration and Assistance can call 1-844-537-7377.

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Public walking at the arena was halted for the ESS operations, but the city stated that could resume as early as Wednesday, August 30, with updates to be posted at the Greater Vernon Recreation website.

Meanwhile, the city set up FireSmart collection bins throughout the community.

The bins can be used by area residents to dispose of yard and garden waste that could act as fuel for fires, such as grass clippings, leaves, pine cones and brush, tree and shrub trimmings.

Ten bins have been set up throughout Vernon and will remain available until Friday, September 1. They are located at:

The end of Kokanee Road at Sunset properties

Paddlewheel park at 7815 Okanagan Landing Road

The DND Grounds parking lot located at 1451 Mission Road

The Easthill Community Church located at 3605 12th Street

The Bella Vista Pumphouse located at 6398 Goose Lake Road in the Blue Jay subdivision area

The Oxford Road cul-de-sac in Adventure Bay

The Kin Beach overflow parking lot at 7001 Tronson Road

Sawicki Millennium Park at 996 Middleton Way

The Kin Race Track at 2501 43rd Avenue

The Silver Star Foothills Community Park at 101 Whistler Place

Locations of the FireSmart bins (image courtesy of the City of Vernon)

“We’re really emphasizing to residents the importance of taking action now to FireSmart their properties, if they haven’t already,” Wes Brassard, Vernon’s FireSmart coordinator said.

“We know these actions make a difference. Together we can help reduce the risk of wildland fire and help make our community more fire resilient.”

The city reminds people that plastic bags, building materials, drywall, cement, household garbage or recycling may not be disposed of in the FireSmart bins.

by Liam Verster

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