Crews hoping to conduct controlled burn at fire near Mabel Lake, progress made on fire – Vernon News

The Vernon branch of the BC SPCA is balancing the need to take in animals displaced by the White Rock Lake wildfire with the need to evacuate the facility if necessary.

The shelter took in many animals over the past week, but on Friday, Aug. 6 the Haney Road facility was put on evacuation alert as the fire sent burning embers into the air for kilometres around.

Chelsea Taylor, branch manager, said it has been a busy week at the animal shelter.

“Of course a lot of people in the Vernon and surrounding area have been on evacuation alert or an evacuation order, so for people who had to leave their homes we have been offering emergency boarding for cats, dogs and small animals,” said Taylor.

But the shelter itself was placed on evacuation alert due to the White Rock Lake fire, so a lot of the animals the shelter took in had to be moved to other facilities as a pre-emptive measure to ensure the animals were safe.

“We are keeping our numbers a little bit lower. We do have space if people are in need and have been ordered out of their homes,” said Taylor. “Right now we are waiting to see what happens and we will be reuniting animals with their owners when people are able to return home after the evacuation orders are lifted.”

Taylor knows the stress involved with an evacuation order, as the Falkland resident was evacuated herself.

Taylor said anyone in need of assistance can phone the call centre at 1-855-622-7722.

“They can call there if they need boarding for their animals, if they had to leave on short notice and left animals behind,” said Taylor, adding SPCA officials are going into areas searching for animals when it is safe to do so.

The branch has supplies such as as pet food, leashes, collars and other pet-related items for those in need. The Vernon ESS also has animals supplies on hand for evacuees.

The City of Vernon will be getting double duty out of some large garbage cans.

The city began delivering the 240-litre carts this month as they gear up for the fall launch of the new automated garbage collection system.

In the meantime, city officials are encouraging residents to use the large garbage cans to help prevent wildfires.

Numerous carts have been delivered to different neighbourhoods and city spokesperson Christy Poirier said people are encouraged to leave the carts at the end of their driveways and fill them with water.

“In light of the current and evolving fire situation, we have started to deploy those garbage cans to areas where there may be a bit of a higher risk for residents,” said Poirier. “If we do have some troubles and they see a spot fire, we wanted to make sure (the carts) could be used for water access if they need it.”

People are being asked to leave the lid of the trash carts open so people know there is water inside and to have a smaller bucket next to the cart for people to scoop water up with.

“It's something that is really quick and easy,” said Poirier, adding the carts have been delivered to Canadian Lake View Estates, Adventure Bay and the south-western end of Tronson Road all of which remain under an evacuation alert.

Carts are also being delivered to East Side Road.

Poirier said the city is encouraging everyone to remain vigilant and be prepared should the worst happen.

The city has created a website with information on what precautions people should take to be prepared for any emergency situation.

“Anything could happen on a moment's notice and it might not be a wildfire, it might be another emergency,” said Poirier.

The city is also urging people to check in on those who may not have access to, or are familiar with the Internet, to make sure they are informed about what is going on.

The call for help went out and the citizens of Vernon responded in a big way.

The city has been operating the Vernon Emergency Support Services reception centre since Aug. 1 to help those impacted by the White Rock Lake wildfire .

As the wildfire situation evolved and evacuation orders become necessary throughout the North Okanagan region, the Vernon ESS Reception Centre received and registered more than 1,600 evacuees.

And nearly 200 new volunteers have been trained since the city requested more help for the reception centre with more applications remaining in the queue.

City staff continue to review and process applications and will be contacting each applicant by email as soon as possible.

“Although more than 1,600 people have registered at the Vernon location, our dedicated team of volunteers have processed hundreds of more requests for assistance as service referrals have had to be renewed or other reception centres have requested help. This has been a difficult time for many people and our volunteers have made a big and positive difference in many lives,” said Mayor Victor Cumming.

Given the current needs of the reception centre, some of the applications already received will be placed on hold until a need arises to train more volunteers. The City is also temporarily suspending intake of new applications.

“Time and time again, when we see a need in our community, Vernon residents respond to the call for help with enthusiasm, compassion and care. This time is no different,” said Mayor Cumming. “This is community in action.”

To learn more about the City’s response to the White Rock Lake wildfire, Vernon’s ESS Reception Centre, emergency preparedness, and how to receive updates from the city, click here.

With strong winds expected to drive extreme fire behaviour at the White Rock Lake fire this coming weekend, the B.C. government is urging tourists not to visit some areas in the North Okanagan.

In a hastily-called press conference Friday afternoon, Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth announced the province is asking tourists to avoid Armstrong, Spallumcheen, the Okanagan Indian Band, Enderby and parts of the Regional District of North Okanagan. A map of the area is located below.

“We want to ensure that people in these communities will be able to evacuate if necessary, access the supports they need, as well as the safety of our firefighters on the ground,” Farnworth said. “We also want to ensure that evacuees have a safe place to stay if they're forced their homes, preferably in the region where they usually reside.

“If you are thinking of visiting there, don't. If you are a tourist in that area, leave now.”

Winds gusting to 30 km/h are expected to hit across the Interior Saturday, with winds twice as strong as that forecast for Sunday.

“Our forecasters and fire behaviour analysts have been working around the clock modelling for the White Rock Lake fire and they are predicting a significant and sustained period of wind through the weekend,” said Cliff Chapman, director of provincial operations with the BC Wildfire Service.

“They will drive aggressive fire behaviour ... those impacts include significant growth, challenging our containment lines on all sides and the potential for large spotting distances, where the head of the fire shoots out ember transfer from the fire and creates spot fires in front of the main body of the fire.

“It has a high potential to start fires, it has the potential to spread quickly and as we've seen through the course of this wildfire season, it has the potential to impact structures and life.”

Chapman added there is a “direct threat to life and property” around the White Rock Lake fire this weekend.

Farnworth once again emphasized the importance for residents in the area to leave immediately if an evacuation order is issued for their region.

“The situation is very serious and could get worse quickly,” Farnworth said.

UPDATE: 3:10 p.m.

Fire crews plan to conduct aerial ignitions from helicopters on the southeast side of the White Rock Lake fire Friday afternoon if conditions allow.

The planned ignitions, west of Westside Road, are in preparation for strong forecast winds coming Sunday.

"Aerial planned ignitions will be conducted today along the east flank of the fire from Naswhito Creek to Whiteman Creek if conditions permit," the BC Wildfire Service said in an update Friday afternoon.

"Ground crews will use hand ignitions to support and tie in with the aerial ignitions done from a helicopter to reduce the amount of available fuel for the fire to burn and create safer and easier access for ground crews. A smoke column may become visible in the area if general smoke and haze clear."

In a Facebook post Friday afternoon, the Okanagan Indian Band warned residents on evacuation alert to the east of the fire to be ready to leave as the winds pick up this weekend.

"[This weather change] will most likely increase the fire activity and potential for live embers in the surrounding areas," OKIB said in the posts. "These teams cannot predict the potential impact to our community however, we can be prepared.

"[Incident Command is] urging all residents who are on alert to pack up their family ceremonial/cultural items and historical records/photos and move them to a friend or family member’s home outside of the community."

OKIB I.R. #1 was evacuated last week as the fire grew rapidly, but some of those orders were downgraded to an alert on Sunday.

In its post, OKIB emphasized the importance of leaving immediately if another evacuation order is put in place.

"BCWS and structural resources are unable to engage in suppression tactics around homes where people are known to have remained. Therefore, your presence at your home not only impacts suppression on your home but those members that live next to you and the community at large," OKIB said.

"We want everyone to be safe and the only way we can do that in an unpredictable event like this is to have our people and important things out of the community before the event happens."

The Regional District of North Okanagan has also warned residents on evacuation alert to be prepared to leave quickly if the fire worsens this weekend.

There remains 195 wildland firefighters and 139 structural protection personnel working on the massive fire, along with 15 helicopters.

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ORIGINAL: 10:05 a.m.

No additional homes are believed to have been hit the by the White Rock Lake wildfire overnight, but fire conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day.

The BC Wildfire Service still estimates the fire's size at 58,000 hectares, and evacuation orders span south to the La Casa neighbourhood on Westside Road, north past Monte Lake.

“With this weekend’s forecast calling for hot and dry conditions, residents are reminded to remain alert and subscribed to cordemergency.ca for updates,” the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre said in a statement Friday morning.

All existing evacuation orders and alerts remain in place.

“Working alongside other agencies, firefighters continue their hard work, patrolling for hotspots and combustibles to mitigate potential fire growth,” said Alex Van Bruksvoort, North Westside Fire chief. “There are no confirmed reports of structure damage in the area overnight.”

But the BCWS expects fire behaviour to increase Friday.

"Increased smoke will be seen in the vicinity of Naswhito Creek on the southeast flank of the fire as we continue to experience increased fire activity in the area," the BCWS said Friday.

"Multiple helicopters will be on site bucketing water to cool hot spots and support crews today. The fire is burning in heavy timber along the Naswhito Creek and producing significant smoke, with the potential for columns to develop. As the winds are forecast to switch to east/northeast today, fire behaviour will most likely increase along the entire eastern and northeastern flank."

Structural protection personnel continue to work along Westside Road.

“Where conditions are suitable, crews are continuing along the fire perimeter and direct attacking using water and hand ignitions to tie in lines and secure the perimeter,” the BCWS says.

“Heavy equipment will continue to construct dozer line from Birch Creek to Naswhito Creek and use aircraft to cool the fire above the guard construction. Bucket ships and firefighters were working in the area to create control lines where safe to do so.”

Additionally, they've built control lines along the southern perimeter of the fire, using forest service roads, lakes and pre-existing machine guards. In addition, a 50-kilometre contingency guard south of the perimeter, spanning from Fintry west to Chapperon Lake.

“This will act as a second contingency guard should the fire progress south,” the BCWS said, adding that the fire is burning Rank 1-2 in the area. “Helicopters will be used to cool any encroachment on the guard.”

To the north, crews have laid hose throughout the northern perimeter.

“The potential of a three-kilometre fire break, with a mass water system deployed within, from Pillar Lake northwest is being explored,” the BCWS said. “If feasible, this will act as a large barrier to limit the potential of fire growth towards communities northeast of the fire.”

Conditions on the fire are expected to worsen yet again through the weekend.

"On Sunday, the ridge [of high pressure] is expected to breakdown with strong gusting winds from the southeast expected," the BCWS says.

"There will most likely be a significant increase in fire activity Saturday/Sunday with the forecast weather. Heavy equipment and crews are being moved to priority areas on the fire that are expected to be the most challenging along the north, northeast, and east flanks."

As crews battle the ever-growing White Rock Lake fire, there is good news from another blaze in the region.

BC Wildfire Service is reporting the Three Valley Lake fire is holding with no fire growth.

Crews will be conducting direct attack today in the northwest, establishing hose-lay to increase containment and stop the fire from moving west to Highway 1.

A thermal imaging scan was completed on Aug. 10 along the south and west sides of the fire, nearest to Highway 1.

Crews will continue to action hotspots identified by this scan.

This fire is visible from Highway 1 and the Three Valley Gap tourist area. Motorists travelling on this highway are being asked to not slow down or stop.

Much of this fire is burning is steep and unworkable ground that is unsafe for firefighters to work on the ground. BC Wildfire Service will continue to monitor this fire and helicopters will be sent to bucket on this fire if required and conditions allow.

The demobilization of Structural Protection systems was completed Aug. 7 from all nearby structures.

The evacuation order issued by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, for the property on the northwest corner of the lake has been downgraded to an Evacuation Alert.

The existing evacuation alert for the Three Valley Lake area including the Three Valley Lake Chateau & Ghost Town, remains in place.

There is good news from a fire burning near Sicamous.

The BC Wildfire Service said there was no further growth to the northeast of the Two Mile Road fire Thursday.

“Amphibious air tankers worked for approximately four hours to hold the south west yesterday,” said the BCWS.

Mara Lake remains open to boats, however, boaters should use caution and stay out of the path of any aircraft working the fire. Recreational boaters or people using other watercraft who try to get a close-up look at these aircraft present a serious safety risk for air crews and anyone else in the area.

The blaze is burning out of control at 1,349 hectares.

On the west side of the fire, BCWS said crews have made excellent progress on securing the flank above Sicamous. Because of this, structure protection has been removed from all structures.

Crews continue to work on the south and north sides of the fire, wrapping around towards the east with machine guards and hand-cleared guards. Crews have been actioning areas of heat from the thermal imaging scan on the west side of the fire.

On the north side of the fire crews are creating guards and working inwards from the perimeter. Heavy equipment is supporting these efforts where terrain allows.

Heavy equipment are working on opening up access through the fire to gain access to the east flank for suppression activities.

Evacuation alerts remain in place by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. The alert area includes all properties within the District of Sicamous to the south of the Trans-Canada Highway, south of Stadnicki Road and east of the Sicamous Narrows and Mara Lake. It also includes areas east of Highway 97A south to and including the community of Swansea Point.

For the past several evenings, residents of a Vernon neighbourhood have been showing their appreciation for the hard work of crews battling the White Rock Lake Fire.

Amanda Quiring said numerous residents have been gathering at the intersection of Old Kamloops Road and Goose Lake Road in the Blue Jay Subdivision from 6-7:30 p.m., the time fire crews are heading back to the BC Wildfire Service camp at Kin Park.

“Everybody loves it. We did it the first night and there were about 30 of us out there,” said Quiring of the rally that was born from a discussion on a Facebook forum.

“People are saying 'That was so much fun. My kids loved it. I was so emotional,'” said Quiring.

The event was originally planned for a single night, but it gaining a life of its own and she said people are planning to greet the fire crews this evening as well.

More evenings are also a possibility and Quiring said everyone is invited to come down and show their support.

“We welcome other people coming. It's a great spot. It's safe. It's a big, wide-open area,” she said of where the rally takes place.

“It's really cool seeing them come back. We see them coming around the corner and everybody starts waving a cheering. They look so weary and we just want to show them some love. These guys are working their butts off for us.”

For the latest information on the White Rock Lake fire, click here.

BC Wildfire Service is actioning a new fire in the Hunters Range area north-east of Enderby.

The lightning-caused fire is burning at one hectare and was reported Thursday, Aug. 12.

BCWS officials said the blaze is five km west of Hunters Creek.

The fire is burning in steep terrain between Mara and Mabel lakes and is being fought by a helicopter and a three-person rappel crew.