Ray’s Retro Friday Night Music…

…with Self Advocates of the Rockies (SAOR)! Happening TOMORROW:

Chill with Ray’s Retro Friday Night Music on July 23 from 5-6 pm MST (4-5 pm Pacific) with Raymond (email Shanda Johnson at s.johnson@realmbc.ca for info) using the Google Meet Link (https://meet.google.com/cfs-kpth-rrg).

Check out upcoming events!

Break Away From the COVID Blues…

…with Self Advocates of the Rockies (SAOR)! Happening TOMORROW:

Breaking Away From the Covid Blues Presents: My Summer Bucket List on July 21 from 1-2 pm MST (12-1 pm Pacific) with Lynnetta (email Shanda Johnson at s.johnson@realmbc.ca for info) using the Google Meet Link (https://meet.google.com/osy-vnsv-din) and Dial Number: 1-613-778-3895 with PIN: ‪464 255 934#.

Check out upcoming events!

Evacuation Alert…

…that we posted last week for the Brenda Creek wildfire just outside of Peachland is still in effect. Updates available on the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website, and there are resources available online. Be sure to check out the links below.

News Release No. 9 Central Okanagan, B.C. – The Brenda Creek wildfire Evacuation Alert continues within a portion of the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area of the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

The Alert affects approximately 18 properties, three recreational campsites and Crown land in the RDCO electoral area south of Highway 97-C and northwest of Peachland.  An online map showing the Alert area  is available at cordemergency.ca/map.  This area is also affected by a BC Wildfire Area Restriction Order.

The BC Wildfire Service says the blaze remains out of control and is approximately 450 hectares in size exhibiting less vigorous behavior yesterday and overnight.

Today it has 40 firefighters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment on the ground along with two helicopters working the fire from the air.

Supporting BC Wildfire’s attack are 14 structural firefighters and equipment from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland and North Westside departments.  They continue monitoring the BC Hydro transmission line corridor through the fire area, extinguishing hot spots and doing fire mitigation around power poles.

BC Hydro continues to actively monitor its transmission line and infrastructure through the Brenda Creek wildfire area. Crews remain on standby and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

Customers are encouraged to learn more about preparing for any potential electricity outage by visiting BC Hydro’s website:

Prepared BC and Interior Health also provide helpful online preparation, health and mental health information and resources for anyone affected by the ongoing wildfire.

Interior Health has food safety information online to assist residents and businesses that could be impacted by any disruption in electrical service:

The next update from the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre is anticipated at 12 p.m. Tuesday.  In the meantime, the EOC remains ready to respond to any change in fire conditions as it supports first responders on the Brenda Creek wildfire.

All Central Okanagan residents are reminded that they should know the risks of potential emergencies, make a plan and prepare grab and go kits in the event they are required to leave their homes for at least 72 hours.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website cordemergency.ca Be Prepared page is a centralized location for regional public emergency and preparedness information, including links to useful provincial and federal emergency resources such as PreparedBC, BC Wildfire Services, Emergency Management BC and Air Quality readings.

Be sure to sign-up for e-updates to receive timely updates directly to your inbox about emergency incidents. The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre also provides information on Facebook at facebook.com/CORDEmergency and Twitter at twitter.com/CO_Emerg.

Virtual events with SAOR!

Hey everyone, there are a number of really cool events to attend virtually or by phone through Self Advocates of the Rockies (SAOR) — get connected, and find out what’s happening next:

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Check out the Freaky Geeky Talk Show every Monday (July 5, 12, 19, 26) from 7-8 pm MST (6-7 pm Pacific) with Kimberly (email: k.earl@realmbc.ca) using the Google Meet Link (https://meet.google.com/chv-dfsh-nqc) and Dial Number: 1-778-747-9247 with PIN: 572 532 691#.

Participate in Ray’s Phone Tree every Thursday (July 8, 15, 22, 29) from 11:30 am-12 pm MST (10:30 am-11 am Pacific) with Raymond (email Janine Moore at j.moore@realmbc.ca for info).

Jump in with Breaking Away From the Covid Blues Presents: My Summer Bucket List on July 21 from 1-2 pm MST (12-1 pm Pacific) with Lynnetta (email Shanda Johnson at s.johnson@realmbc.ca for info) using the Google Meet Link (https://meet.google.com/osy-vnsv-din) and Dial Number: 1-613-778-3895 with PIN: ‪464 255 934#.

Chill with Ray’s Retro Friday Night Music on July 23 from 5-6 pm MST (4-5 pm Pacific) with Raymond (email Shanda Johnson at s.johnson@realmbc.ca for info) using the Google Meet Link (https://meet.google.com/cfs-kpth-rrg).

Get involved in Arts & Crafts with Kim on July 29 from 2-3 pm MST (1-2 pm Pacific) with Kimberly (email for more info & supplies to k.earl@realmbc.ca) using the Google Meet Link (https://meet.google.com/ydk-javb-xao) and Dial Number: 1-289-349-9404 with PIN: 456 104 362#.

COVID-19 trends…

The Government of Canada has been gathering information about COVID-19 to identify trends. This information helps with planning and is available to everyone, and it includes:

  • Local data based on postal code.
  • Epidemiological reports.
  • Provincial and Territorial snapshots.
  • Mathematical modelling.

You can find this information here.

BC Restart Plan – STEP 3

Hey everyone, it’s been announced that BC is on track to move to STEP 3 of BC’s Restart Plan. Here is a link to the news release and some more information about what we can all expect at this time (starting July 1). You can find more information about BC’s Restart Plan in full here.

CLBC COVID-19 Update

Hey everyone, you can click here to read the June 30th COVID-19 update for individuals and families. This update includes more information about what we can expect as BC moves into Step 3 of the provincial Restart plan, an update on the Accessible British Columbia Act, and an opportunity to have your say in the Government of Canada Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

OKANAGAN: Community Cooling Centres Activated

Hey everyone, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations centre has been activated to support the opening of several cooling centres, in response to the heat warning issued by Environment Canada, and has circulated an information bulletin with additional information — we are passing on the information in that bulletin here for you.

Elevated temperatures over several days put seniors, children, people with underlying health conditions and those who do not have access to air conditioning at greater risk of heat-related illness.

Starting June 27, the following locations will be available as cooling centres for the community:

City of Kelowna

  • Parkinson Activity Centre, 1700 Parkinson Way, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Rutland Activity Centre, 765 Dodd Rd., 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

City of West Kelowna

  • Lakeview Heights Baptist Church, 2630 Alhambra Dr., 11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

District of Peachland

  • Peachland Community Centre, 4450 6th Street, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations bulletin outlines COVID-19 safety at cooling centres:

  • Centres will follow Provincial Health Orders for COVID-19 to keep populations safe
  • Centres will have supplies of water, masks and hand sanitizer on-hand
  • Physical distancing measures will be in place
  • Wearing masks in the cooling centres is required per the guidelines for cooling centres from the BC Centre for Disease Control.

The cooling centres will remain open until the heat wave subsides. Additional cooling centres may open in the coming week. Keep an eye on local news and cordemergency.ca. CORD Emergency officials recommend checking on neighbours and family to ensure that they are staying cool, keeping hydrated and determining whether they need any assistance.

STAY COOL: Heat Warning issued

Hey everyone, a heat warning has been issued by Environment Canada for much of the Province, including the Okanagan and the West Kootenays. Record temperatures are in the forecast from Saturday until Tuesday. Watch for heat-related illness, and be aware of the increased risk of wildfires due to drought conditions.

We’ve got information posted on sun safety on our Health and Safety page and we’ve posted SPOTLIGHTS on sun safety on our blog. There are also tips and resources on weather hazards and safety on the Government of Canada website, including how you can prepare for summer weather.

The Government of Canada website also has a page for natural hazards with information about Wildfires here.

Stay safe and healthy, and stay cool!

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