BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) Information

BC Wildfire – Crater Creek (K52125)

Current Information
BC Wildfire Service, BC Parks, RCMP, Cathedral Lakes Lodge and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) worked together to relocate approximately 80 people from the Cathedral Provincial Park area on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Lodge guests, staff and campers were required to shelter-in-place during the evening of Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

The shelter-in-place recommendation was due to the road access being compromised. Fire behaviour, poor visibility, and debris on Ashnola Road made the road impassible.

Crews succeeded in clearing Ashnola Road on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, allowing a convoy of evacuees to travel safely to Keremeos early in the afternoon.

Video Update
The RDOS hosted an online information briefing at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, August 16, 2023. The recording is available on the RDOS YouTube channel.

Emergency Reception Centre in Keremeos Closed
The  Emergency Reception Centre in Keremeos is now closed. Residents under Evacuation Order can call Emergency Support Services (ESS) at 250-486-1890 for ESS Services. If you are on an Evacuation Alert or Order, or if you have been displaced from your home due to an emergency, please self-register for ESS. Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA): ess.gov.bc.ca

People concerned about evacuees are asked to call the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre at 250-490-4225 and not the ESS.

Evacuation Orders And Alerts
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) Evacuation ORDER for the Ashnola Rd and Cathedral Lake Park remains in effect for RDOS properties. The RDOS is in communication and is coordinating efforts with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB).

An Evacuation ALERT remains in effect for 74 properties along Ashnola Rd, River Rd and Highway 3 near the Red Bridge area west of the Village of Keremeos.

For the latest updates on RDOS Evacuation Alerts and Orders, please visit emergency.rdos.bc.ca.

Checkpoint on Ashnola Road

Checkpoints have been set up along Ashnola Road in conjunction with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB). Please avoid the Red Bridge area. Motorists along Highway 3 are asked to drive with caution and avoid stopping.

Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team
If you are in an area under an Evacuation Alert, please make arrangements to relocate animals or livestock. Contact ALERT (Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team) for assistance: 250-809-7152.

VOYENT ALERT! Notifications
Click here to register for routine and emergency notifications via email, text, or telephone. You can also find a link to Voyent Alert! on the RDOS website: www.rdos.bc.ca. For further information, please call the EOC at 250-490-4225. In the case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
Interior Health Authority is reminding residents and visitors of the health concerns due to wildfire smoke. Please click the link below for more information.

How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke (interiorhealth.ca)

Issued by EOC Director