A property damaged by the White Rock Lake wildfire (Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Over 1,300 properties evacuated

RDCO to host information session for returning evacuated property owners

Aug 31, 2021 | 3:19 PM

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) is planning to hold a ‘Returning Home Information Session’ for those who have been evacuated from their homes due to the White Rock Lake wildfire.

The information session will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 1 between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. and will be live streamed on the district’s Youtube channel. A recording of the session will also be uploaded to YouTube following the meeting so people can refer back to the information provided.

“This meeting will help residents with what they might see, some of the things they can do in advance and what they should expect as they return home in days ahead,” said Emergency Operations Centre director Corie Griffiths.

“Subject matter experts will provide general information for Central Okanagan West Electoral Area based on housing, road and utility assessments that are being conducted in the area.”

The information session will provide details on what people should expect when returning to their properties and the services available to them, including:

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• The status of homes based on assessments;
• Updates on efforts to restore power, water and other utilities;
• Visible and hidden dangers that may exist on properties including tree fall, burnt trees, and unstable root structures;
• Health and mental supports;
• Garbage and waste management services.

The information session will not provide an opportunity for people to ask questions, though RDCO said they have already contacted residents whose properties have been substantially damaged to answer pressing questions.

The RDCO Emergency Operations Centre is also working to put together a returning home guide that will be available to residents returning to their properties. This guide, as well as other resources, will be available at the Emergency Operations website.

At this time, an evacuation order for 1,316 properties and 850 properties on alert in the North Westside communities within RDCO remains in place.