INFORMATION RELEASE                 

Emergency Reception Centre
The Emergency Reception Centre is moving to Princess Margaret Secondary at 120 Green Avenue W. in Penticton to provide Emergency Support Services (ESS) to those in need. The Reception Centre is scheduled to open at 9:00 am on Saturday, August 19, 2023.

If you are on Evacuation ORDER, please consider making arrangements to stay with family or friends.

Residents under Evacuation Order can call 250-486-1890 for ESS Services. If your property is under 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                    

BC Wildfire – Crater Creek (K52125)

• Evacuation Alerts: 189 properties
• Evacuation Orders: 19 properties

BC Wildfire – Upper Park Rill Creek (K52813)

• Evacuation Alerts:

Electoral Area “I”: 22

Electoral Area “G”: 1

Electoral Area “C”: 223

Total: 246

• Evacuation Orders:

Electoral Area “I”: 64

Electoral Area “G”: 19

Electoral Area C”: 174

Total: 257

You can find a complete list of addresses under Evacuation Alert and Order at emergency.rdos.bc.ca or enter your address in the Interactive Map.

If you have questions about evacuees or potential structure loss, please call the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre at 250-490-4225.

Please conserve water
Please turn off all domestic and agricultural irrigation to conserve water.

Watering from residential hoses is not an effective way to reduce fire risk on your property

• Check the last-minute FireSmart checklist for effective actions to protect your home

Video Update
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) hosted a video update on Friday, August 18, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Video updates are available on the RDOS YouTube channel. Please monitor RDOS web and social media channels for the latest updates.

Residents, property owners, and visitors should continue to monitor official information sources for the latest updates.

• emergency.rdos.bc.ca
• usib.ca
• BCWildfire.ca
• DriveBC.ca

Weather and wildfire conditions can change quickly. Please take time now to create a preparedness plan for your family or business in case an Evacuation Alert or Order is issued.

The RDOS EOC is recommending residents and property owners in the Similkameen and across the Regional District, take the following steps:

• Prepare an emergency grab and go kit
• Consider options to stay with friends and family outside the area
• Conduct a last minute Fire Smart checklist

What to do when an Evacuation Alert is issued

What to do when an Evacuation Order is issued

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.

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)

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.

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.

Issued by EOC Director