Evacuation orders downgraded to alerts for select properties in Valley of the Sun
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has downgraded Evacuation Orders for the Valley of the Sun subdivision to Alerts.
The properties along a number of roads in the subdivision now under Alert include ones on:
- Alpine Road
- Attenborough Road
- Balsam Road
- Briarwood Road
- Firwood Road
- Wood Road
Additionally, select addresses on Westside Road and Westside Road North are also no longer under an Evacuation Order. Those properties include
- 7875 Westside Road
- 7951 Westside Road
- 7981 Westside Road
- 8015 Westside Road
- 8039 Westside Road
- 8285 Westside Road
- 8415 Westside Road
- 7919 Westside Road North
- 8055 Westside Road North
- 8063 Westside Road North
- 8219 Westside Road North
- 8325 Westside Road North
- 8375 Westside Road North
All other Evacuation Orders remain in place until further notice, as fire suppression, road, hazard and structural assessments and mitigation work is ongoing and must be completed before people can return to their properties. A detailed map of the Evacuation Orders and Alerts for the area can be found at the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation’s website.
The decision to rescind the Evacuation Order and put an Alert in place for the select properties comes following consultations with B.C. Wildfire and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The White Rock Lake wildfire is still classified as Out of Control, and people under the Alert should be prepared to leave their property again should the situation worsen and an Order be issued once again.
Residents returning to their properties are advised to be cautious of any potential hazards on their properties, such as unstable ground, dangerous trees, displaced and distressed animals, and spoiled food in refrigerators and freezers.
Any damage caused by the wildfire should be photographed and documented so it can be shared with insurers.
Work is ongoing to restore telecommunication services to the area, and returning residents are advised to contact their service providers.
People returning to their properties must enter from the south along Westside Road as the north end of Westside Road remains closed from Firwood to Irish Creek Roads as further assessments and mitigation work is ongoing in that area.
A Water Quality Advisory is also in place until further notice for the Upper Fintry-Shalal Road-Valley of the Sun water systems. The public is advised to boil water for at least one minute before drinking, making ice or beverages, washing fruit or vegetables or brushing teeth.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan reminds people returning to their properties that a Returning Home Information Session will be live-streamed on Youtube Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m., then uploaded to the RDCO’s Youtube channel for people to watch later.
READ MORE: RDCO to host information session for returning evacuated property owners
The RDCO has also initiated a dedicated recovery office for area residents and property owners to access resources in the event that they’re properties were significantly damaged in the fire. Those resources can be accessed through the RDCO’s website, by calling 250-469-6111, or by emailing recovery@rdco.com.