Emergency Operations Center | Osoyoos | Canada's warmest welcome

EOC UPDATES

Thursday, August 3, 2023, 4:00 pm
EOC Update: Eagle Bluff wildfire (K52318)
A reminder, if you are under an Evacuation ORDER, you must leave the area immediately.

Residents and visitors are reminded to avoid all areas under Evacuation ORDER due to the threat to life safety. Remaining in areas under an Evacuation ORDER poses a danger to you and firefighting crews. This includes residents who may choose to leave the area if conditions worsen. This is especially dangerous during aerial operations and planned ignitions.
BC Wildfire Service planned ignitions: Thursday, August 3, 2023

Residents who have chosen to ignore the Evacuation ORDER are asked to stay clear of personnel in the field to allow them to conduct operations.
For further information, please visit BCWildfire.com.

Osoyoos and District Sanitary Landfill

Due to the proximity to the Eagle Bluff wildfire, the Osoyoos and District Sanitary Landfill is closed until further notice. For further information, please contact the Town of Osoyoos at 250-495-6515 or info@osoyoos.ca.
Emergency Support Services (ESS)

The ESS reception centre in Oliver will be moved to the Sonora Community Centre (8505 68 Avenue, Osoyoos). The ESS new reception centre is scheduled to open on Friday, August 4, 2023, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
If you require support, including food or lodging, please contact Emergency Support Services (ESS) at 250-486-1890. You can register online at ess.gov.bc.ca.
Call for Volunteers

During emergencies, trained volunteers from across the region respond to assist residents in need.

If you would like to share your time and talents, please email ess@rdos.bc.ca or call 250-486-1890 for more information.
BC Wildfire Camp at Keogan Sports Park in Okanagan Falls

Due to the presence of firefighting crews at Keogan Sports Park (1525 Cedar St.) in Okanagan Falls, residents and visitors will notice increased activity in the area. Vehicle access is currently restricted to local traffic only on the south end of Cedar Street adjacent to Keogan Park. Please avoid this area to allow crews safe access and egress to the site. Public access to the north end of Keogan Park is permitted. Thank you for your cooperation.
Evacuation ORDER issued for Osoyoos Wildlife Federation

On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) issued an Evacuation ORDER for the Osoyoos Wildlife Federation, 14000 Strawberry Creek Road in Electoral Area “A”. The Evacuation ORDER remains in place.
Watercraft and Drones

Watercraft can create safety issues from helicopters and planes accessing water from lakes. BC Wildfire and the RCMP have lines of communication and any issues arising from boaters on the lake are reported to the RCMP for investigation. Drones are not permitted to be flown near an active wildfire as they pose a risk to low flying aircraft. Residents and visitors are asked to be aware and not interfere with fire fighting efforts.
Update to Evacuation ALERTS and ORDERS

Please check the interactive map to confirm the status of your property: emergency.rdos.bc.ca
The Evacuation Alert is RESCINDED for properties East of Highway 97 in Osoyoos and areas within the RDOS south of the Town of Osoyoos.
Please monitor official sources for the latest updates.
Areas remaining on Evacuation ORDER:
- The Osoyoos Industrial Park in the Town of Osoyoos
- All properties south of Highway 3 from the Town of Osoyoos boundaries to Nighthawk Road in Electoral Area “B”
- Parts of Electoral Areas “A” and “B” including the Kilpoola and Spotted Lake areas south of Highway 3
Properties under Evacuation ALERT and ORDER current as of August 3, 2023, 4:00 pm:
- RDOS properties on Evacaution ALERT: 482
- RDOS properties on Evacaution ORDER: 144
- Osoyoos properties on Evacuation ALERT: 487
- Osoyoos properties on Evacuation ORDER: 48
For the latest updates on Evacuation ALERTS and ORDERS, please visit emergency.rdos.bc.ca.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

For the latest updates on local highways, visit DriveBC.ca.
Voyent Alert! Notifications

Click here to register for routine and emergency notifications via email, text, or telephone.
You can also find a link to Voyent Alert! on the RDOS website: www.rdos.bc.ca. For further information, please call the EOC at 250-490-4225. In the case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.
FireSmart

Whether you are doing regular yard maintenance or making large scale changes during renovations or landscaping, you can make choices that will help protect your home from wildfire.
For more information, please visit RDOS Community FireSmart at: https://firesmart.rdos.bc.ca
Disaster Psychosocial Team

If you require support, please call the Disaster Psychosocial Team toll-free at 1-888-686-3022 or Wellness Together Canada at 1-866-585-0445.
Issued by EOC Director
For more information contact:
Town of Osoyoos

(T) 250.495.6515

(E) info@osoyoos.ca
BC Wildfire Service planned ignitions: Thursday, August 3, 2023

Residents who have chosen to remain in areas under Evacuation ORDER are asked to stay clear of personnel in the field to allow them to conduct operations.

Information from BC Wildfire Service:

Ignitions were completed along the west flank on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, between Nighthawk Road, up to Frank Lake area. If conditions remain favourable, BC Wildfire Service will proceed with the remaining ignitions on Thursday, August 3, 2023.

Traffic control has been coordinated for Highway 3 and one lane will be closed during the operations for personnel safety.

For further information, please visit BCWildfire.com.

Emergency Support Services (ESS)

The ESS reception centre at the Sonora Community Centre (8505 68 Avenue, Osoyoos) is currently scheduled to open on Friday, August 4, 2023, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

If you require support, including food or lodging, please contact Emergency Support Services (ESS) at 250-486-1890. You can register online at ess.gov.bc.ca.

If you are under an Evacuation ORDER, you must leave the area immediately

Residents and visitors are reminded to avoid all areas under Evacuation ORDER due to the threat to life safety. Remaining in areas under an Evacuation ORDER poses a danger to you and firefighting crews. This includes residents who may choose to leave the area if conditions worsen. This is especially dangerous during aerial operations and planned ignitions.

Call for volunteers

During emergencies, trained volunteers from across the region respond to assist residents in need.

If you would like to share your time and talents, please email ess@rdos.bc.ca or call 250-486-1890 for more information.

Evacuation ORDER issued for Osoyoos Wildlife Federation

On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) issued an Evacuation ORDER for the Osoyoos Wildlife Federation, 14000 Strawberry Creek Road in Electoral Area “A”. The Order remains in place.

Watercraft and Drones

Watercraft can create safety issues from helicopters and planes accessing water from lakes. BC Wildfire and the RCMP have lines of communication and any issues arise form boaters on the lake are reported to the RCMP for investigation. Drones are not permitted to be flown near an active wildfire as they pose a risk to low flying aircraft. Residents and visitors are asked to be aware and not interfere with fire fighting efforts.

Update to Evacuation ALERTS and ORDERS

Please check the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) interactive map to confirm the status of your property: emergency.rdos.bc.ca

The Evacuation Alert is RESCINDED for properties East of Highway 97 in Osoyoos and areas within the RDOS south of the Town of Osoyoos.
Welcome Back packages with information on re-entry are being distributed. Please see link below.

Welcome Back residents impacted by Eagle Bluff wildfire

Areas remaining on Evacuation ORDER:
- The Osoyoos Industrial Park in the Town of Osoyoos
- All properties south of Highway 3 from the Town of Osoyoos boundaries to Nighthawk Road in Electoral Area “B”
- Parts of Electoral Areas “A” and “B” including the Kilpoola and Spotted Lake areas south of Highway 3
Properties under Evacuation ALERT and ORDER current as of August 2, 2023, 5:00 pm:

Evacuation ALERT RDOS: 482

Evacuation ORDER RDOS: 144

Evacuation ALERT Osoyoos: 487

Evacuation ORDER Osoyoos: 48

For the latest updates on Evacuation Alerts and Orders, please visit emergency.rdos.bc.ca, www.osoyoos.ca or sign up for the Town of Osoyoos eNews.

Highways

For the latest updates on local Highways visit DriveBC.

FireSmart

Whether you are doing regular yard maintenance or making large scale changes during renovations or landscaping, you can make choices that will help protect your home from wildfire.

For more information, please visit https://firesmart.rdos.bc.ca/

Disaster Psychosocial Team

If you require support, please call the Disaster Psychosocial Team toll-free at 1-888-686-3022 or Wellness Together Canada at 1-866-585-0445.

Issued by EOC Director

Town of Osoyoos

(T) 250.495.6515

(E) info@osoyoos.ca
BC Wildfire Service planned ignitions: Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Residents who have chosen to remain in areas under Evacuation ORDER are asked to stay clear of personnel in the field to allow them to conduct operations.
Information from BC Wildfire Service: As a follow up to the planned ignition information from this morning, the work on the west flank went well and is complete for the day. Work on the north flank is going to be extended around to the northeast corner of the fire and is planned to begin tomorrow morning. Crews will be starting on the northeast corner from the retardant line working off Highway 3 and will then work their way around to the north flank. This ignition operation will be an extension of the ignition operation that was initiated along the west flank of the fire.
Highway 3 may be partially closed as crews and equipment work off the highway to conduct operations. BC Wildfire is asking people to drive carefully along Highway 3 to make sure the crews and equipment working on the fire are safe.

For further information, please visit BCWildfire.com.

Evacuation ORDER issued for Osoyoos Wildlife Federation

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) has issued an Evacuation Order for the Osoyoos Wildlife Federation, 14000 Strawberry Creek Road in Electoral Area “A”. The Order is effective at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

Watercraft and Drones

Watercraft can create safety issues from helicopters and planes accessing water from lakes. BC Wildfire and the RCMP have lines of communication and any issues arise form boaters on the lake are reported to the RCMP for investigation. Drones are not permitted to be flown near an active wildfire as they pose a risk to low flying aircraft. Residents and visitors are asked to be aware and not interfere with fire fighting efforts.

If you are under an Evacuation ORDER you must leave the area immediately.

Residents and visitors are reminded to avoid all areas under Evacuation ORDER due to the threat to life safety. Remaining in areas under Evacuation ORDER poses a danger to you and firefighting crews. This includes residents who may choose to attempt to leave the area if conditions worsen. This is especially dangerous during aerial operations and planned ignitions.

If you require support, including food or lodging, please contact Emergency Support Services (ESS) at 250-486-1890.

Update to Evacuation ALERTS and ORDERS

Please check the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) interactive map to confirm the status of your property: emergency.rdos.bc.ca
Image

Effective Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at noon, the Evacuation Alert is RESCINDED for properties East of Highway 97 of Osoyoos and areas within the RDOS south of the Town of Osoyoos.

Please monitor official sources for the latest updates.
Welcome Back packages with information on re-entry are being distributed. Please see link below.

Welcome Back residents impacted by Eagle Bluff wildfire

Areas remaining on Evacuation ORDER:
- The Osoyoos Industrial Park in the Town of Osoyoos
- All properties south of Highway 3 from the Town of Osoyoos boundaries to Nighthawk Road in Electoral Area “B”
- Parts of Electoral Areas “A” and “B” including the Kilpoola and Spotted Lake areas south of Highway 3
Properties under Evacuation ALERT and ORDER current as of August 2, 2023, 5:00 pm:

Evacuation ALERT RDOS: 482

Evacuation ORDER RDOS: 143

Evacuation ORDER RDOS: 144 (includes 14000 Strawberry Creek Road)

Evacuation ALERT Osoyoos: 487

Evacuation ORDER Osoyoos: 48

For the latest updates on Evacuation Alerts and Orders, please visit emergency.rdos.bc.ca, www.osoyoos.ca or sign up for the Town of Osoyoos eNews.

Emergency Support Services (ESS)

The ESS Reception Centre at the Oliver Community Centre located (6359 Park Dr. in Oliver) is closed and is not scheduled to open on Thursday, August 3, 2023.

If you are under Evacuation Alert or Order, please register online at ess.gov.bc.ca or call 250-486-1890.

Highways

For the latest updates on local Highways visit DriveBC.

FireSmart

Whether you are doing regular yard maintenance or making large scale changes during renovations or landscaping, you can make choices that will help protect your home from wildfire.

For more information, please visit https://firesmart.rdos.bc.ca/

Disaster Psychosocial Team

If you require support, please call the Disaster Psychosocial Team toll-free at 1-888-686-3022 or Wellness Together Canada at 1-866-585-0445.

Issued by EOC Director

Town of Osoyoos

(T) 250.495.6515

(E) info@osoyoos.ca
BC Wildfire Service planned ignitions: Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Information from BC Wildfire Service: Weather conditions over the past few days have led to increased activity and growth on the west flank of the Eagle Bluff wildfire (K52318), located west of Osoyoos. These weather conditions are expected to continue in the coming days, with fire activity and fire behaviour anticipated to increase in the afternoons when temperatures are highest and relative humidity is lowest.
The BC Wildfire Service Incident Management Team managing the Eagle Bluff wildfire on the Canadian side of the border is coordinating response efforts with the U.S. Incident Management Team managing the fire on the U.S. side of the border.
The ignition operation will occur between Nighthawk Road, follow existing road networks into Canada, where it will be tied into Frank Lake and then run adjacent to Highway 3, along the base of the slope. The ignition operation on the U.S. portion is now complete and crews will be continuing the ignition on the Canadian side today.
Overall, the planned ignition will cover up to 1,800 hectares where the fire is burning is in steep and rocky terrain that poses safety risks to crews and heavy equipment. The ignition operation will be conducted by a combination of hand and aerial ignitions with support from ground personnel, structure protection personnel and aerial resources.
The purpose of the planned ignition is to remove unburnt fuel in an intentional way to secure the control line and achieve containment on the north and west flanks of the fire. Based on current conditions this unburnt fuel has the potential to burn on its own in a significantly more active way. These ignition operations will be conducted throughout the day today (August 2, 2023) and possibly tomorrow (August 3, 2023) and will only proceed if site and weather conditions are favourable.
For further information, please visit BCWildfire.com.

Watercraft and Drones

Watercraft can create safety issues from helicopters and planes accessing water from lakes. BC Wildfire and the RCMP have lines of communication and any issues arise form boaters on the lake are reported to the RCMP for investigation. Drones are not permitted to be flown near an active wildfire as they pose a risk to low flying aircraft. Residents and visitors are asked to be aware and not interfere with fire fighting efforts.

If you are under an Evacuation ORDER you must leave the area immediately.

Residents and visitors are reminded to avoid all areas under Evacuation ORDER due to the threat to life safety. Remaining in areas under Evacuation ORDER poses a danger to you and firefighting crews. This includes residents who may choose to attempt to leave the area if conditions worsen. This is especially dangerous during aerial operations and planned ignitions.

If you require support, including food or lodging, please contact Emergency Support Services (ESS) at 250-486-1890.

Update to Evacuation ALERTS and ORDERS

Please check the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) interactive map to confirm the status of your property: emergency.rdos.bc.ca

Image

Effective Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at noon, the Evacuation Alert is RESCINDED for properties East of Highway 97 of Osoyoos and areas within the RDOS south of the Town of Osoyoos.

Please monitor official sources for the latest updates.
Welcome Back packages with information on re-entry are being distributed. Please see link below.

Welcome Back residents impacted by Eagle Bluff wildfire

Areas remaining on Evacuation Order include;
- The Osoyoos Industrial Park in the Town of Osoyoos
- All properties south of Highway 3 from the Town of Osoyoos boundaries to Nighthawk Road in Electoral Area “B”
- Parts of Electoral Areas “A” and “B” including the Kilpoola and Spotted Lake areas south of Highway 3
Evacuation ALERT RDOS: 482

Evacuation ORDER RDOS: 143

Evacuation ALERT Osoyoos: 487

Evacuation ORDER Osoyoos: 48

For the latest updates on Evacuation Alerts and Orders, please visit emergency.rdos.bc.ca, www.osoyoos.ca or sign up for the Town of Osoyoos eNews.

Emergency Support Services (ESS)

The ESS Reception Centre at the Oliver Community Centre located (6359 Park Dr. in Oliver) is not scheduled to open on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. If you are under Evacuation Alert or Order, please register online at ess.gov.bc.ca or call 250-486-1890.

Highways

For the latest updates on local Highways visit DriveBC.

FireSmart

Whether you are doing regular yard maintenance or making large scale changes during renovations or landscaping, you can make choices that will help protect your home from wildfire.

For more information, please visit RDOS Community FireSmart at: https://firesmart.rdos.bc.ca

Issued by EOC Director

Town of Osoyoos

(T) 250.495.6515

(E) info@osoyoos.ca
Weather conditions over the past few days have led to increased activity and growth on the west flank of the Eagle Bluff wildfire (K52318), located west of Osoyoos. These weather conditions are expected to continue in the coming days, with fire activity and fire behaviour anticipated to increase in the afternoons when temperatures are highest and relative humidity is lowest.
The BC Wildfire Service Incident Management Team managing the Eagle Bluff wildfire on the Canadian side of the border is coordinating response efforts with the U.S Incident Management Team managing the fire on the U.S. side of the border.
Operational response tactics are being coordinated and plans are in place to conduct ignition operations along the western flank of the fire. Both teams will be working together to tie in the U.S. planned ignition on the south side of the border and the planned ignition on the north side of the border.
The ignition operation will occur between Nighthawk Road, follow existing road networks into Canada, where it will be tied into Frank Lake and then run adjacent to Highway 3, along the base of the slope.
The planned ignition will cover up to 1,000 hectares where the fire is burning is in steep and rocky terrain that poses safety risks to crews and heavy equipment. The ignition operation will be conducted by a combination of hand and aerial tactics with support from ground personnel, structure protection personnel and aerial resources.
The purpose of the planned ignition is to remove unburnt fuel in an intentional way to secure the control line and achieve containment on the west flank of the fire. Based on current conditions this unburnt fuel has the potential to burn on it’s own in a significantly more active way. The ignition will begin this evening and throughout the day tomorrow.
Planned ignitions are a very useful tactic in fire suppression and fire management and are often the safer and more efficient operational tactic. It allows us to bring the fire perimeter down to control lines and creates a more uniform and continuous fire edge which is easier for crews to use direct attack methods on and extinguish hot spots to strengthen control lines and achieve containment. This is also more time efficient and safer for the crews as they have to spend less time chasing hot spots and patches of free burning fire in rough terrain.

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