The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) continues to provide referrals to those affected by wildfires within the region. Referrals are part of the EOC wildfire recovery coordination through the following resources:

• Agricultural Producers through the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries: 2021 Wildfire Drought AgriRecovery Initiative – assistance to offset the extraordinary costs required to return to production include:
  • For livestock: feeding, transportation assistance, veterinary services, fire clean-up (including mortality), safe livestock handing, fencing, irrigation system repair
  • For crops and bees: mortality, fencing, and replanting
  • https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/2021-wildfire-and-drought-agrirecovery-initiative
  • AgriRecover@gov.bc.ca
  • 1-888-332-3352

• The Canadian Red Cross continues to work alongside community leadership and all levels of government to best support the needs of the people impacted by the wildfires in British Columbia:
  • Direct financial assistance: The Red Cross is providing one-time financial assistance to households whose primary residence has been severely impacted by this season’s wildfires (based on structural loss information provided by EMBC), households who were evacuated from the Lytton, B.C. region due to wildfires and households under an evacuation order for 10 or more consecutive days due to wildfires in the province. The Red Cross is able to provide this assistance thanks to the Province of British Columbia and the generosity of Canadians.
  • Personalized support for recovery: The Red Cross works directly with individuals and families to help them navigate their recovery journey, including goal setting and decision-making processes. This might include planning for return to home, understanding insurance and community resources, as well as providing referrals and information to help make decisions and inform next steps.
  • For more information on Red Cross services and how to access them, please call 1-800-863-6582, Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 p.m. PST, or visit www.redcross.ca/2021bcfires
    

• Emergency Management donated goods:
  • Individuals who are trying to replace items lost in the wildfire to including: clothing (baby/child/youth/adult all sizes), bedding, toys and books, toiletries, comfort items, miscellaneous sporting goods, camping equipment, pet food, cleaning supplies, grocery items, furniture, home décor, disposables, health aids, baby items
  • Open until the end of October contact ADRA warehouse to make an appointment (limited hours)
  • adrawarhousedonationsmanager@gmail.com
  • 250-307-4353

For further information, please contact the EOC at 250-490-4225 Monday to Friday between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Issued by EOC Director