Fire situation has not changed appreciably
August 21, 2023 @ 1700 hrs
The fire situation has not changed appreciably since this morning, which is good news. The EOC team is constantly monitoring the fire for changes that may affect OKIB members. While progress is being made, members should remain vigilant as fires are unpredictable.
OKIB EOC has three reminders for members. More information is available further down:
- Prepare your evacuation kit and grab-and-go bag, just in case.
- FireSmart your home.
- Duck Lake residents please register with the EOC.
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. A photo taken at Cinnabar Creek by the OKIB boat patrol crew showing the dense smoke is attached.
Further discussions were held on the advance planning to ensure protection of known cultural areas and artifacts. An example of a cultural site is the n’kwala Trail (Brigade Trail).
Westside Road south will remain closed for at least five days due to danger trees mitigation and ongoing assessments.
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.
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/
Please continue to follow us for updates:
- Website – www.okib.ca
- Facebook for Members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1338692452818556/
- App for members
Help us by sharing this information with family and friends who are not on social media.
