The White Rock Lake wildfire, Aug. 12, 2021.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Elizabeth Mo
August 29, 2021 - 10:41 AM
A wildfire burning in the North and Central Okanagan has not seen significant growth but evacuation orders and alerts remain in place.
The White Rock Lake wildfire, burning west of Okanagan Lake, remains at 81,362 hectares and is classified as out of control, according to the B.C. Wildfire Services.
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 remain in place, according to the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre’s press release.
“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.” says North Westside fire chief Alex Van Bruksvoort, in the press release.
“The agencies that are in the area are working under strict guidelines to keep everyone and everything safe.”
Yesterday afternoon, five mm of rain was received in the Fintry area, as well as minimal amounts in other areas of the fire. 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.
The expansive size of the fire requires 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, according to the centre.
Given hot spots continue to be extinguished and ongoing mop-up activity, special access permits are not being considered for residents at this time for residents to access the evacuation order area, according to the centre.
For more updates on orders and alerts in the region, visit the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District, Regional District of North Okanagan, Thompson- Nicola Regional District, Splatsin, Okanagan Indian Band, Regional District of Central Okanagan, City of Vernon or Township of Spallumcheen's websites.
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