News & Updates

Another good evening for fire fighting Monday August 21 @ 1200 hrs

Posted On August 21, 2023

August 21, 2023 @ 1200 hrs

The overnight reports indicate another good night of firefighting as fire crews work to establish perimeters around the fires. OKIB Crews are patrolling Duck Lake, Whiteman’s area, and beyond to get “eyes-on” situation reports for the EOC. This includes checking trail cameras for signs of travel and activity.

People are reminded that there is currently provincial government restrictions on backcountry travel in the area due to instability from the White Rock Lake fire, and because the fire rating is extreme. The backcountry ban was implemented in 2021 and expires in 2024. You can read the ban here.

OKIB Field Crews are doing advance planning to ensure protection of cultural concerns. This information will be shared with BC Wildfire Service to ensure proper levels of protection, should it be necessary. They will patrol the lake by boat to get a fuller perspective.

There was no significant growth of the McDougall fire over the past two days. While progress is being made, members should remain vigilant as fires are unpredictable. Windier conditions from the northwest at 20 km/h are forecast for today. Winds are forecast to switch from the southwest at 20 km/h tomorrow.

The Clarke Creek Fire in Lake Country is estimated at 360 hectares and is not expected to change. A wet line is being established around the fire.

Fire crews from BC Wildfire Service are continuing construction of fire breaks, work that began Friday and which continues. At least one fire break has been established north of Cinnabar Creek and south of Caesar’s Landing. The fire break will provide additional protection to OKIB lands and resources should the fire advance to the north.

Westside Road south will remain closed for at least five days due to danger trees mitigation and ongoing assessments.

To all OKIB members who live at Duck Lake, please contact our EOC and provide contact information if you haven’t done so already. Text or call 250-309-2458, or email [email protected] to register. This is a precautionary measure, so that we can reach out to you if necessary. Members should be aware that if an evacuation alert is issued, it will come from CORD, not OKIB.

Have you assembled your evacuation kit and your grab-and-go bag? Take a photo and send it to [email protected] and we will post it as inspiration for other members. Check out this link for information on items to include: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/build-an- emergency-kit-and-grab-and-go-bag

Mental Health and Wellness support is available for OKIB members who would like to talk to a counsellor. Call the OKIB Mental Wellness intake and referral line at 250-241-4741. More information is available on our website at https://okib.ca/news/call-if-you-need-to-talk. Additional mental health information is available here: https://okib.ca/departments/emergency-management/okib-emergency-operations-centre

Please FireSmart your home. Clean up leaves and needles, trim bushes back from your house, move firewood away from structures. Ensure there are no flammable objects around your home. More information to FireSmart your home is located at: https://firesmartbc.ca/

Our EOC team is constantly monitoring the fire for changes that may affect OKIB members. Please continue to follow us for updates:

Please share this information with family and friends who are not on social media.