Westside Road by OKIB office with White Rock Lake wildfire smouldering in background. (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Update

Several structures damaged by White Rock Lake wildfire

Aug 11, 2021 | 11:15 AM

It appears several structures have been damaged by the White Rock Lake wildfire in the Westside Road area west of Vernon.

Emergency officials with the Regional District of Central Okanagan joined with the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) to take an aerial tour of the fire area Tuesday.

“Visual indications suggest at least six structures on four properties within the Bouleau Lake area sustained significant damage in the blaze. These properties were outside the RDCO fire protection area. The area is currently under evacuation order,” said a news release from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations.

The damage likely occurred late last week when the more than 56,000 hectare fire surged towards Westside Road.

“Formal confirmation will require a ground survey when fire conditions allow safe access by inspectors. In the interim, the Emergency Operations Centre has attempted to contact affected property owners.”

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Alex Van Bruksvoort, North Westside Fire Chief, said firefighters from his department and multiple other departments are working with BCWS, aiding in back burns along Westside Road.

“We are continuing to do work to help further protect homes in Lower Killiney Beach area. The team has laid over 800 feet of four inch hose from a fire boat up Hodges Road to Blarney Place, supplying fire trucks, tenders, and sprinkler systems placed throughout neighbourhoods. Crews are also removing combustible material close to homes. This is something that property owners who are on alert can also do,” said Van Bruksvoort.

The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) has opened a temporary emergency animal shelter in Lake Country to house companion animal evacuees from the White Rock Lake fire and assist with any animal-related concerns. CDART is staffed by volunteers, so there is no charge for any of their services.

The shelter is located at the Winfield Memorial Hall, 10130 Bottom Wood Lake Road, and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you are a fire evacuee needing help with your animal(s), please contact CDART at 250-809-9589 or info@cdart.org.

Evacuation orders and alerts issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan for the White Rock Lake wildfire remain in effect. Should conditions change, any adjustments will be available at www.cordemergency.ca. A detailed map showing the present status of orders and alerts affecting properties within the RDCO is at www.cordemergency.ca/map.

Volunteers continue to staff the Emergency Support Services reception centre, 1480 Sutherland Avenue (Salvation Army) in Kelowna until from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Westside Road remains closed between Ewings Landing Rd and Louis Estates Rd for 24.9 km (30 to 55 km east of West Kelowna).