White Rock Lake fire: Over 1,000 ordered to evacuate, nearly 50,000 more on alert
Posted August 6, 2021 11:17 pm.
Last Updated August 6, 2021 11:55 pm.
KAMLOOPS (NEWS 1130) — The rapidly-growing White Rock Lake wildfire triggered evacuation alerts and orders Friday evening affecting thousands of people in the southern Interior — including an alert for the entire city of Vernon which has a population of over 40,000.
The fire is estimated at 55,000 hectares, and the BC Wildfire Service describes it as “incredibly volatile” and “extremely vigorous.” Public Safety Miniter Mike Farnworth said Friday it is the province’s “top priority.”
Evacuation orders have been issued by the Central Okanagan Regional District and the Okanagan Indian Band.
#EvacuationOrder expanded by Central #Okanagan Regional District for ~975 properties previously on Alert in the vicinity of the White Rock Lake #BCwildfire. Affected area runs south from Ewings Landing to the south end of La Casa Lakeside Resort.
Info: https://t.co/BjPOhZpGxf https://t.co/gcFButBXVN
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) August 7, 2021
#EvacuationOrder issued by #Okanagan Indian Band for properties in the vicinity of the White Rock Lake #BCwildfire. More info at: https://t.co/RMHxGWt2rK
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) August 7, 2021
Winds upward of 40 km/h are “challenging suppression efforts,” according to the wildfire service.
Cities of Vernon, Armstrong on alert
An evacuation alert for Vernon was expanded late Friday to encompass the entire city due to the possibility of fires being sparked by embers from the fire burning on the other side of Okanagan Lake.
“The decision to expand the alert was made out of an abundance of caution based on the advice of BC Wildfire Service, due to increased fire activity and increased ember debris,” says a statement from the city.
The current Evacuation Alert has been expanded to include the balance of properties within the City of Vernon.
The decision was made out of an abundance of caution based on the advice of BC Wildfire due to increased fire activity & increased ember debris https://t.co/QWkHpyAxsW
— City of Vernon (@CityofVernon) August 7, 2021
The entire city of Armstrong, which has a population of roughly 5,000, has been placed on evacuation alert, along with the surrounding township.
#EvacuationAlert issued for the entire City of #ArmstrongBC and Township of Spallumcheen due to the White Rock Lake #BCwildfire.
More info: https://t.co/KLVcXF0rfl
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) August 7, 2021
An alert has also been issued for the Village of Chase, which has roughly 2,500 people.
