Recovery from White Rock Lake wildfire shifts to long-term needs, rebuilding and more assessments

It’s been more than six months since the White Rock Lake wildfire destroyed nearly 75 homes in the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s (RDCO) North Westside communities and the recovery efforts continue.

Immediately after the fire, the RDCO’s Resiliency and Recovery Centre was formed to support short-term and medium-term needs while establishing a long-term recovery plan – all of which was funded through non-profit organizations and Emergency Management BC (EMBC).

According to the latest update, the RDCO says that, as of Jan. 31, “nearly all short-term and medium-term unmet needs within the wildfire impacted communities have been addressed."

This included hazardous condition assessments and community hazard assessments.

The community hazard assessments identified hydrologic hazards which include flooding, debris floods and sediment-laden floods that impact vegetation and may result in water repellent soil.

Geomorphic hazards were also identified and include landslides, debris flows and soil erosion. These hazards also result in a loss of vegetation, exposed mineral soil and thermal expansion in rocks.

According to the report, wildfire-related impacts are the greatest within the first five years and will likely be more impactful when the snow melts and the spring rains arrive.

The RDCO says more long-term assessments are needed, however, the rebuilding process can begin. The needs of residents, land use regulations and environmental and hazard assessments will inform this process.

On Jan. 27, 2022, the RDCO, Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) and provincial ministries met to identify next steps following the conclusion of the initial hazard assessments.

Resident needs identified by the recovery plan and recommendations from the assessments have informed the following actions:

• Request for support from EMBC to fund additional assessments

• Request for support from EMBC to facilitate a public education and awareness campaign

• Request for support from EMBC to extend the recovery manager by three months

• Request for support from EMBC to extend the Environmental Planner, Building Inspector and planning Administrative Assistant by six months

Furthermore, the RDCO, EMBC and Canadian Red Cross will continue to help residents through a new debris management program.

The program will provide funding to those without sufficient insurance coverage to complete demolition and disposal activities.

The Red Cross is to providing families and individuals with support including housing repairs and reconstruction. The organization is also helping with interim housing support.

The Central Okanagan Food Bank is also providing residents with food hampers and similar support while Mennonite Disaster Service Volunteers are helping repair and rebuild homes and site clean up.

Additional actions will need to be taken as well and include long-term erosion protection, new mapping and further assessments.