Community Connections Support Services' Home on the Web
Hi everyone, there is a live telephone townhall for all residents of the Interior Health region happening TONIGHT from 7 pm to 8 pm (PST). You can find more information about what to expect, and how to participate, by clicking here.
Guest speakers:
How to join:
Hey everyone, there’s been changes to the remaining Evacuation Alert and Evacuation Order for the White Rock Lake fire. Check out the info bulletin released (below).
News Release no. 12 Central Okanagan, B.C. – The Regional District of Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has updated the White Rock Lake wildfire Evacuation Orders and Alerts.
Order Rescinded
The Evacuation Order has been rescinded for La Casa Lakeside Resort, Fintry, Upper Fintry and Shalal Road and properties north of and including 6409 Westside Road to La Casa. Residents for these properties may now return home and remain on Evacuation Alert. They must continue to be prepared to leave their homes on short notice should fire conditions change. A detailed map showing the updated Evacuation Order and Alert area is available at www.cordemergency.ca/map.
The new Alert Area includes properties in communities along Westside Road from the south end of Valley of the Sun to north of and including 6409 Westside Road.
Returning residents should be aware electricity was off from Friday evening until BC Hydro was able to restore electrical service yesterday afternoon.
Residents should consider potential food safety, water and sewage disposal issues related to the loss of power during a wildfire. Interior Health has information residents may consider to stay food safe and urge ‘When in doubt, throw it out’. Specific food safety information is available on the Interior Health website:
The Regional District of Central Okanagan has issued Water Quality Advisories for the Upper Fintry-Shalal Rd.-Valley of the Sun and Westshore Estates water systems due to the wildfire. A previous Water Quality Advisory for the Killiney Beach water system remains in place. Visit www.rdco.com/water for details.
Alert Rescinded
The previous Evacuation Alert has been removed for the Westside Road communities from north of Traders Cove to south of 6409 Westside Road. This Alert has also been removed for public lands north of Bear Lake Main and Esperon Creek Forest Service Roads to the western RDCO boundary. Visit www.cordemergency.ca/map for a detailed map.
Evacuation Order Continues, conditions remain unpredictable
The Evacuation Order continues for areas along Westside Road from the northern RDCO boundary to the south end of Valley of the Sun. The Order also includes a mostly rural area of forest service roads outside the boundary of the North Westside Fire Service Area to the west of Westshore Estates and includes public lands within the RDCO boundary north and west of the Valley of the Sun subdivision.
The White Rock Lake wildfire remains classified as out of control by the BC Wildfire Services. […]
Hey everyone, the Self Advocates of the Rockies (SAOR) are hosting a conference called Fall Into Fall But Let’s Get Inspired on August 27th — you can check out the link to register and all the information on the FSI events page here!
This is a live Zoom event, and registration takes place until August 11th – that’s TOMORROW. There are gift bags for the first 50 people who register!
Hey everyone, with fire season fully upon us we wanted to highlight two short animated videos being released by Nelson Fire & Rescue Services.
Did you know there are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of losing homes and buildings from wildfire? Through a grant from Columbia Basin Trust, local illustrator Nathan Wilkinson and vocal artist Maddisun worked with Nelson Fire & Rescue Services to create these two short animated films to help spread the message of FireSmart and wildfire safety.
Check out how to “Be FireSmart-Today” in the videos below or on YouTube!
Hey everyone, the Evacuation Order issued for the White Rock Lake Wildfire was expanded over this past weekend. Please review the alert and pass along to those who may be affected!
News Release No. 9 Central Okanagan, B.C. – In light of continued aggressive behavior and unpredictable winds with the White Rock Lake wildfire, the Regional District of Central Okanagan has expanded its Evacuation Order.
Residents from approximately 975 properties previously on Alert along Westside Road are now under Evacuation Order and must leave their homes and campsites immediately. The affected area runs south from Ewings Landing to the south end of La Casa Lakeside Resort. This includes properties in:
Residents that require in-person help with food, lodging and Emergency Support Services registration should visit the reception centre at 1480 Sutherland Avenue in Kelowna. The centre is open until 10 tonight and tomorrow from 12 – 8 p.m. Online registration is also available through Emergency Support Services at ess.gov.bc.ca.
Non-residents and those visiting in the Evacuation area should consider safely returning to their communities as ESS services are strained by evacuees across the Province. If you’re vacationing with a travel trailer and are evacuated, temporary parking is available at Jim Lind arena/Royal LePage Place, 2760 Cameron Road in West Kelowna.
The Evacuation Alert area now affects residents living in Westside Road communities and subdivisions south of La Casa Lakeside Resort to north of Traders Cove (intersection of Bear Lake Main Forest Service Road and Westside Road). Those in this area should be prepared to leave their homes with short notice in case fire conditions change. Pre-registration is available with ESS online at ess.gov.bc.ca.
They should also make arrangements in advance for boarding of pets and livestock.
A detailed map is available showing affected properties at cordemergency.ca.
For information and updates on the wildfire visit the BC Wildfire Service White Lake Road Fire of Note webpage: https://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=855
Emergency Operations Centre staff are working with other response agencies to manage the situation and minimize the impacts. RCMP are regularly patrolling the evacuated area and structural firefighting crews are providing fire assistance and patrols.
Westside Road is closed to all traffic south of La Casa. Visit drivebc.ca for road closure details.
Hey everyone, there is a new Evacuation Order issued for the White Rock Lake Wildfire. Please review the alert and pass along to those who may be affected!
News Release No. 8 Central Okanagan, B.C. – A new Evacuation Order is issued for the RDCO Central Okanagan West Electoral Area in response to the White Rock Lake wildfire. Properties from south of Westshore Estates along Westside Road from Killiney Beach including Ewings Landing are now under this extended Evacuation Order and were previously on an Evacuation Alert from August 1. […]
The new Evacuation Order includes 608 properties along Westside Road from 8525 Ewings Landing Road (south end) to 9995 Westside Road (north end), up to the Sugarloaf Forest Service Road turn off. Specific roads affected include:
A detailed map is available showing affected properties at cordemergency.ca. […]
An Emergency Support Services (ESS) reception centre for evacuated residents is located at 1480 Sutherland Ave in Kelowna. ESS volunteers are available, as needed, to help affected Central Okanagan residents. Residents that are evacuated from their homes must report to the reception centre to receive any assistance and lodging. Evacuees can pre-register with ESS online at ess.gov.bc.ca but still need to visit the ESS Reception Centre in order to receive the appropriate supplier forms as specific paperwork is required in order to access these services.
Emergency Operations Centre staff are working with other response agencies to manage the situation and minimize the impacts. RCMP will regularly patrol the evacuated area. Sections of Westside Road through evacuation areas will be closed and residents will not be able to travel north to Vernon. Visit drivebc.ca for road closure details.
Emergency response personnel request that the public:
For more information about this wildfire, visit cordemergency.ca, sign up for e-updates, or call the information line at 250-469-8490.
Hey everyone, the Self Advocates of the Rockies (SAOR) group society has some fun events lined up this month. These events are available to individuals registered with CLBC services. Check it out!
There’s also the brochure of the speakers for the conference, and the history of the SAOR Group Society attached here as well.
Hey everyone, the Evacuation Alert put in place on July 14 in response to the Brenda Creek wildfire has now ended. This includes the area south of Highway 97-C and northwest of Peachland, in the Okanagan. A detailed map is available showing this area at cordemergency.ca.
The Government of Canada has been reminding us all that, as more people are vaccinated, restrictions may be starting to lift in our communities this summer. However, we must continue to follow local public health advice and be mindful of individual measures like physical distancing (i.e. staying 6 feet apart) and wearing a mask in public spaces. This summer, especially, we are all reminded to continue to avoid crowds.
If you are heading outside this summer, you can find ways to safely enjoy outdoor activities such as:
You can find more information here.
Hey everyone, CLBC has issued an Info Bulletin for Home Share Providers! Topics covered include:
Check it out here!
