The massive wildfire burning near Rock Creek has caused several outages for residents in surrounding communities, and crew members will work to restore power, once the area has been deemed safe to access.
Power will be restored to #RockCreek #Bridesville #Westbridge #Christian Valley #Beaverdell after area is declared safe for crews.
— FortisBC (@FortisBC) August 14, 2015
At this time, FortisBC emergency crew members are currently working on fixing the outage in Beaverdell; however, an estimated time of power restoration has not yet been established. On the positive side, power has since been restored to 157 customers in downtown Rock Creek.
According to Nicole Bogdanovic, Communications Adviser with FortisBC, crews have access to specific areas in the whole fire region, but there's a lot of safety concerns that need to be addressed first.
Preliminary assessments found that at least 75 poles have been burnt. In the area of Westbridge and Rock Creek alone, there are currently 60 poles down.
Damage to ~75 poles in #RockCreekFire #BCHwy33. Crews working in #Bridesville #Beaverdell http://t.co/cbC4zRzZu2 pic.twitter.com/1ztnw32VKj
— FortisBC (@FortisBC) August 14, 2015
FortisBC anticipates that Bridesville will see power restoration by 6:00 Friday evening.
Service update: Power restored to customers on Kettle Valley South Rd & Kettle Valley Rd http://t.co/cbC4zRzZu2 #BCWildfire #RockCreekFire
— FortisBC (@FortisBC) August 14, 2015
Our crews now have access to clear roads for emerg. crews #Beaverdell #BCHwy33 http://t.co/cbC4zRzZu2 #BCwildfire pic.twitter.com/CkG9EFS4rv
— FortisBC (@FortisBC) August 14, 2015
Information on power outages/retorations https://t.co/El5I144atb
— RDKB Emergency Info (@AlanLStanley) August 14, 2015
Meanwhile, the BC faction of the Canada Red Cross is on scene assisting Rock Creek evacuees. Individuals searching for unaccounted friends and family members can call the Red Cross Family Reunification Service.
Red Cross Family Reunification Service - call 1 888 350 6070
— RDKB Emergency Info (@AlanLStanley) August 14, 2015
The communities of Grand Forks and Beaverdell are also rallying together to support the Rock Creek evacuees.
Huge thanks to people volunteering assistance!!
— RDKB Emergency Info (@AlanLStanley) August 14, 2015
Grand Forks Credit Union is providing assistance to evacuees and is collecting donations of clothing, bedding etc. from public
— RDKB Emergency Info (@AlanLStanley) August 14, 2015
Evacuees in Grand Forks needing clothing contact Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store at 250 442 3343 located on 2nd St across from GF Firehall
— RDKB Emergency Info (@AlanLStanley) August 14, 2015
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