EOC Update: Crater Creek (K52125), Upper Park Rill Creek (K52813) wildfires Saturday, August 19, 2023, 5:00 pm

News Article
Published: August 19, 2023

INFORMATION RELEASE                                                                                                         

Structures impacted by wildfires
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) is required to independently verify structure loss and inform the property owner before sharing information. Due to the current Evacuation Orders in effect, access is restricted and verification is not possible at this time. Thank you for your patience.

Essential travel only
From the Office of the Premier David Eby and Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness: “To help ensure accommodation is available for critical-response personnel and the tens of thousands of people evacuated due to wildfires, the Province is restricting travel for the purpose of staying in temporary accommodation in several communities in the Okanagan.”

2023 IRONMAN Canada-Penticton triathlon cancelled
From IRONMAN Canada-Penticton: “Based on a province wide state of emergency that has been declared in British Columbia along with the order restricting travel to B.C.'s Southern Interior for those travelling for non-essential purposes and seeking temporary accommodation, we regret to share that the 2023 IRONMAN Canada-Penticton triathlon scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 27, 2023 has been cancelled for the safety of all involved.”

Emergency Reception Centre
The Emergency Reception Centre at Princess Margaret Secondary located at 120 Green Avenue W. in Penticton is scheduled to close at 7:00 pm on Saturday, August 19, 2023.The Emergency Reception Centre, which has been activated to provide Emergency Support Services (ESS) to those in need, is scheduled to open at 9:00 am on Sunday, August 20, 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: 195 properties
  • Evacuation Orders: 13 properties

The Evacuation Order issued by the Regional District on August 17, 2023, has been RESCINDED for six (6) properties in Electoral Area “G” (Rural Keremeos).

The Order RESCIND is in effect for the following:

  • Electoral Area “G” along the Similkameen River on the west side of Highway 3 from 3675 Highway 3 to 4355 Highway 3.
  • This area includes: Suncatchers RV Park; Riverside RV Resort; and Lucky R MH Park

These properties are now on Evacuation Alert. Please see map below.

Click here to view the Evacuation Order RESCIND.

Click here to view the Evacuation Alert.

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

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

Evacuation Alerts and Orders current as of 5:00 pm on Saturday, August 20, 2023.

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

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.

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:

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)

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

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