News
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August 03, 2021 - 5:34pm
As crews continue to make progress on the Bill Nye Mountain Fire, effective 6:00pm tonight the Evacuation ORDER for 41 properties in the Lazy Lake has been downgraded to an Evacuation ALERT.
This is in addition to the Evacuation Alert for 12 properties in the Holmes Road and Lakit Lake Areas, including one property on Wildhorse Forest Service Road, bringing the total number of properties on Evacuation Alert to 53.
Cooler temperatures and precipitation have resulted in a reduction of fire activity and allowed BC Wildfire crews to make good progress; however, it continues to be an active...
July 29, 2021 - 4:09pm
With over 240 wildfires burning across BC, including a number of Fires of Note in the East Kootenay, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is urging residents and travellers to stay aware, be prepared and plan ahead this long weekend.
“Whether it is heading out on a vacation, to a second home or into the woods camping, it is critical for people to do their research about wildfires, Crown Land Area Restrictions and Evacuation Alerts or Orders that may be in effect around their destination,” says Regional Emergency Operations Centre Director Fiona Dercole. “If an area is under an...
July 28, 2021 - 8:54pm
After temporary, graduated restrictions were introduced for the East Side Lake Windermere Water Service area four weeks ago, regular watering hours will be back in effect in early August.
“During the heat wave at the beginning of July, we noted a sharp increase in consumption within the East Side Water Service area to the extent that our water treatment plant was running 23 hours a day and was having difficulty keeping up with the demand,” explains RDEK Engineering Services Manager, Brian Funke. “The month long restrictions were due to extreme heat, and to curb overuse of water on a...
July 27, 2021 - 7:56pm
Due to increased fire behaviour on the Bill Nye Mountain Fire and based on recommendations from the BC Wildfire Service, the RDEK has issued an Evacuation Order for the Lazy Lake area, effective Tuesday, July 27 at 7:00pm.
“The safety of the public and fire crews is our top priority,” says Information Officer, Loree Duczek. “These decisions are not made lightly; and everyone within the evacuation order area needs to leave immediately.”
The Evacuation Order will include 41 properties in the Lazy Lake area. The map of the Evacuation Order is available on the Emergency Information page of...
July 27, 2021 - 11:03am
As crews continue to make progress on the Bill Nye Mountain Fire southeast of Wasa, the Evacuation Order has been downgraded to an Evacuation Alert for 2 properties on Lakit Creek Forest Service Road.
The Evacuation Alert remains in place for 52 properties in the Lazy Lake, Lakit Lake and Holmes Road area, including one property on Wildhorse Forest Service Road while one property on Lazy Lake Road remains under Evacuation Order.
“Today two properties on Lakit Creek FSR have been downgraded to an Evacuation Alert however; the Bill Nye Mountain fire is still an active fire and residents...
July 26, 2021 - 3:24pm
Just before 1:30pm today, members of the Windermere Fire Department (WFD) responded to a grass fire found to be a hayfield on fire.
WFD responded with 2 apparatus and 7 members and the fire was quickly extinguished with the help of bystanders. We would like to thank the bystanders for their quick reporting and safe actions prior to our arrival.
The cause of the fire was found to be from hot farm equipment and was not negligent nor suspicious in nature.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be aware and safe during these periods of extreme fire...
July 26, 2021 - 2:05pm
The Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service has been fielding numerous calls of late regarding backyard fires.
“Most of these calls come late at night and are creating a drain on our volunteers as well as creating a burden on our Fire Dispatch Centre in Kelowna already dealing with an unprecedented season. Sadly, many of these calls could be avoided with neighborly communication prior to the dispatch of Fire Departments and RCMP,” explains Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service Deputy Chief Drew Sinclair. “While some of the calls end up being the permitted portable propane...
July 24, 2021 - 12:24pm
With recommendations from the BC Wildfire Service and in advance of the planned direct suppression action, the RDEK has issued an Evacuation Order for one property on Lazy Lake Rd.
There are now three properties under Evacuation Order and 52 properties under Evacuation Alert. “Everyone within the Alert area is reminded to remain ready and prepared to leave on a moment’s notice should the situation change,” says East Kootenay Regional Emergency Operations Director Fiona Dercole.
Evacuation Alert in effect for 52 properties in the Lazy Lake, Lakit Lake and Holmes Road area, including...
July 21, 2021 - 3:19pm
Given the current fire conditions, anticipated wind event, and recommendations of the BC Wildfire Service, the RDEK has issued an Evacuation Order for two properties east of Saugum Lake.
“One owner owns both properties affected by the Order and is in regular contact with the BC Wildfire Service,” says Information Officer Loree Duczek. “The Evacuation Alert for 53 properties in the Lazy Lake, Lakit Lake and Holmes Road area, including one property on Wildhorse Forest Service road remains in effect with no changes at this time. However, we are encouraging everyone within the Alert area to...
July 20, 2021 - 6:01pm
Members of the Edgewater Fire Department extinguished a suspicious fire in the waste bin at the Edgewater Transfer Station overnight.
“When we arrived on scene, the bin was fully engulfed in flames and our crew did an exceptional job of quickly extinguishing the fire and preventing what could have been a much more serious situation,” explains Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service Deputy Chief Drew Sinclair.
Five firefighters and two pieces of apparatus responded to the call at approximately 11:30pm Monday night.
The cause of the fire is believed to be a warm ash barrel which had...
July 17, 2021 - 7:52am
A precautionary evacuation ALERT has been issued for 53 properties in the Lazy Lake area as a wildfire continues to burn on nearby Bill Nye Mountain.
“An evacuation alert informs residents of the threat of a potential or impending danger. It is intended to give people time to gather things and prepare themselves so that they are ready to go should the situation worsen and an Evacuation Order is issued,” explains Information Officer Loree Duczek. “We encourage people within the evacuation alert area to put together important papers (like insurance papers), medications, valuables, supplies...
July 16, 2021 - 5:52pm
A new planning process is underway to help identify management options to address short term rentals in the rural areas of the RDEK.
“Over the past few years, we at both the Board and staff level, have experienced an increase in public concern regarding short term rental accommodations,” says RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay. “As a result, one of our strategic priorities for 2021 is to undertake a planning process to formally gather public input and look at the best management options available.”
To help gather feedback on short term rental accommodations and gain a greater understanding of the...
July 16, 2021 - 5:42pm
The RDEK Board has given three readings to the Wasa Recreation Contribution Service Establishment Bylaw and submitted it to the Province. If the required Ministry approvals are received, an elector assent process will be held in the next few months.
The idea for the proposed service was brought forward to the RDEK by the Wasa Recreation Society and Wasa & District Lions Club, who are concerned that maintaining the required level of volunteerism and fundraising needed to support several community assets is unsustainable.
If it receives the required support of electors, the new service...
July 13, 2021 - 3:39pm
The Fairmont Creek Evacuation Alert has been RESCINDED.
“Our contractor has completed debris removal in the three upper debris basins on Fairmont Creek, and capacity has been restored, which has allowed us to lift the Evacuation Alert,” says Information Officer Loree Duczek.
The Evacuation Alert has been in effect since a debris flood in late May. “We want to acknowledge the Incident Commander, contractor, Emergency Operations Centre team, along with the numerous provincial agencies who played an active role in this event response. We also want to sincerely thank the community of...
July 08, 2021 - 9:18pm
Residents of the Caithness Mobile Home Park in the Galloway area are returning home this evening after being evacuated from their homes earlier today.
“The evacuation order has been lifted and the fire is now classified as Being Held” says Information Officer Loree Duczek. “We would like to extend our thanks to the Emergency Support Services volunteers that were there for the residents.”
Firefighters from the RDEK’s Elko and Jaffray Fire Departments along with BC Wildfire Service crews responded to the 1.1 hectare wildfire at approximately 3:00 pm this afternoon. A total of 35 people...
July 08, 2021 - 5:49pm
An Emergency Support Services Reception Centre has been set up at the Elko Community Hall for residents of the Caithness Mobile Home Park in the Galloway area who were evacuated due to a wildfire today.
“A total of 46 homes were evacuated this afternoon and evacuees are asked to register at the ESS Reception Centre,” says Information Officer Loree Duczek.
The fire, which is estimated at 0.5 hectares is burning along the rail lines near Highway 3 is quite visible. Motorists are asked to avoid stopping in the area. “If you need to travel through this corridor, we ask that you keep moving...
July 05, 2021 - 2:45pm
On the heels of the historic heat wave, and with a long, hot summer in the forecast, the RDEK is urging all rural property owners to take steps now to FireSmart their properties and help reduce the risk of damage caused by wildfire.
“While we cannot change the fact that we live in a wildfire-prone region, we can increase our property’s resilience to wildfire by adopting FireSmart principles and taking steps to reduce hazards,” says RDEK Wildfire Resilience Coordinator Terry Balan. From simple actions like cleaning gutters and moving firewood or propane tanks, to choosing fire-resistant...
July 05, 2021 - 9:03am
The RDEK is seeking comment on the draft Elk Valley Regional Parks Management Plan.
“We are currently working on a management plan for the Elk Valley Regional Park, which is intended to provide strategic direction and guidance for the RDEK, community associations and stewards of the park for the next 15-20 years,” explains RDEK Planner Michele Bates.
To help gather resident feedback, comments are being taken on the draft Management Plan until 4:30pm on August 9.
“Having the input from park users and area residents is an important part of the process, so we are encouraging everyone...
July 03, 2021 - 7:28pm
Members of the Baynes Lake Fire Department were dispatched to a campfire complaint call Thursday night and arrived to find a large group of young people on the beach with a large bonfire.
“To have a fire of any size is not only illegal, but reckless and selfish,” says Elk Valley and South Country Fire & Rescue Service Chief, Dave Boreen. “What makes this call even more unacceptable is that when they were told that the fire had to be put out, several of them became belligerent and uncooperative.” Boreen credits those in the group who did step up immediately to do the right thing and took...
July 02, 2021 - 5:25pm
A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued for a conceptual design plan to restore water supply to the aquifers that feed the downstream communities of Baynes Lake and Elko.
“This is an important step forward in this critical project and in getting sustained access to drinking water for these communities,” says RDEK Electoral Area B Director Stan Doehle. “This is a long process, but this is an important step forward.”
The Request for Proposals closes on July 12th, with the successful proponent’s plan to be completed by November 19th. The conceptual design is intended to identify,...
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