Monday, August 2, 2021
10:30 Hours
An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) at the Shuswap Emergency Program's Emergency Operations Centre in conjunction with the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD), the Regional District of North Okanagan's (RDNO) and the Okanagan Indian Band's (OIKB) Evacuation Alerts and Orders. A wildfire burning in the area of White Rock Lake in the CSRD's Electoral Area D is growing and may pose a danger. As a precautionary measure and due to the potential danger to life, health or property, the Evacuation Alerts issued on July 26 and 27, 2021 have been expanded to now include the following areas:
- The alert area includes the communities of Falkland and Cedar Hill (Sweetsbridge), up Chase-Falkland Road, north to Joyce Lake.
- It has been expanded to include the hills west of and above Yankee Flats Road, north to Spa Creek. This adds one commercial resort at Bolean Lake to the Evacuation Alert area.
Please see the attached map of the Evacuation Alert Area as part of this Alert.
All previous Evacuation Alerts and Orders issued by the CSRD for the White Rock Lake Fire remain in effect.
An Evacuation Alert is a warning about a potential threat to life and/or property. It is intended to give you time to be ready for a possible evacuation. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation, however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.
View the August 2 2021 Expanded Evacuation Alert Backcountry Above Yankee Flats (PDF).
What you should you do when an alert is in effect
Upon notification of an ALERT:
- All residents self-register with Emergency Support Services online. You can also search this on Google using the term BC Evacuation Registration and Assistance. When registering, please indicate your community as Falkland. This step provides important information in case of an evacuation.
- Locate your grab-and-go bags for you and your family. Gather essential items such as medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers, immediate care needs for dependents. Replenish any items that have expired or need replacement, ensure you and your family members have enough clothing and incidentals for a 72-hour period and have these items readily available for quick departure. See the Public emergency preparation and recovery webpage for details.
- Contact family members, advise them of the situation and determine a meeting location outside of the evacuation area where you can safely reconnect should the area be evacuated.
- Accommodation in the area is limited at this time of year. Arrange to stay with family or friends, if possible, or consider finding a campsite outside the alert area.
- Take care of your pets by moving them to a safe location (including horses and hobby farm animals).
- Arrange transportation for all household members. Prepare to move any disabled persons and/or children. Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.
- Regularly monitor the CSRD website, the Shuswap Emergency Program’s (SEP) webpage, the Shuswap Emergency on Facebook and Twitter, the CSRD's Facebook, Twitter platforms or local news sources for up-to-date and accurate information. Or sign up for Alertable, our new emergency mass notification system.
For update on wildfire information, see the BC Wildfire Service.
For more information, contact:
CSRD Emergency Operations Centre
Phone: 250.833.3350
