UPDATE: Evac alerts due to White Rock Lake wildfire rescinded for Coldstream, RDNO properties, partially for Vernon

UPDATE (2:45 p.m.):

A partial evacuation alert has been rescinded for properties within the City of Vernon, while the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) rescinded an evacuation alert for the District of Coldstream on Saturday (Aug. 7), as well as alerts for properties located in portions of Electoral Area B and Electoral Area C.

The City of Vernon said on Saturday that reduced fire activity and a change in weather conditions, including light rain in the area, led to partial rescinding of the alert, which was issued Friday.

Properties rescinded from the alert includes:

Rise, Turtle Mountain and Blue Jay areas
Predator Ridge and Sparkling Hill neighbourhoods
Okanagan Landing South neighbourhoods (areas of Eastside Road, The Outback, Ellison Provincial Park Inkster, Delcliffe, Whitepoint, Smith Road, Peters Road, Kokanee/Sunset properties, Harbour Heights, Beverly Hills Estates)
Commonage Area, south of Bench Row Road

However, an alert remains for properties located in Canadian Lakeview Estates in its entirety, Adventure Bay in its entirety and Tronson Road (from 8125 to 9280).

@CityofVernon just rescinded its previous evac alert. Now, only Adventure Bay, Canadian Lakeview Estates and Tronson Road (fm. 8125-9280) are on alert! #WhiteLakeRockFire More info: https://t.co/rrEL0EQjTG pic.twitter.com/TUeVIetpRe

— caitlin clow (@caitleerach) August 7, 2021

The RDNO has rescinded the alerts for the following properties:

Electoral Area B east of Okanagan Lake – including those surrounding Swan Lake
Electoral Area C south of Spallumcheen, west of Forsberg Road (on Silver Star Road) to the southern boundary of Electoral Area C
District of Coldstream from the north boundary to the south boundary, the area west of Coldstream Valley Estates and Grey Road

***Evacuation Alert RESCINDED for Coldstream***https://t.co/q2BUc7ZX2Y

— Coldstream (@ColdstreamDist) August 7, 2021

The Township of Spallumcheen and the City of Armstrong remain on evacuation alert.

ORIGINAL (12:30 p.m.):

The White Rock Lake wildfire continues to burn at an estimated size of 55,000 hectares, with predominant fire growth observed along the fire’s eastern flank just west of Westside Road on Friday (Aug. 6), according to a Saturday update from BC Wildfire Service.

Southwesterly winds reaching speeds of 40 km/h, combined with rank four and five fire behaviour, challenged crews and their suppression efforts on Friday. An increase in fire behaviour was also observed in the Whiteman Creek Road area due to strong winds.

In the evening, a flank threatening to push northeast towards Spallumcheen slowed once it approached the Siwash Creek area. Temperatures dropped into the mid-teens, with southwest winds continuing to gust upwards of 30 km/h.

Crews are expecting similar winds today, with anticipated south-southwest winds ranging from 10 km/h to 40 km/h. Isolated showers are anticipated, which will provide a slight reprieve through the weekend. However, active fire behaviour is expected in areas where sustained winds align with terrain features and high spread rates.

Despite extreme conditions, crews were able to hold the flank of the fire affecting Westwold, Falkland and Cedar Hill, with no reported structure losses in the Falkland area. There remains very active fire in the Monte Lake Area, as well as the east side of the blaze.

As of 12 p.m. Saturday, the Okanagan Indian Band was happy to report no structure loss on its lands.

Temperatures are expected to dip on Sunday, with light winds coming from the northwest. But into next week, a flat upper ridge is anticipated to begin to build on Monday, bringing warm and dry conditions back to the region.

Evacuation alerts have been issued for a number of communities, which include Coldstream, Swan Lake, Spallumcheen, Armstrong and Vernon.

An evacuation order remains in place for approximately 2,127 properties from the northern Regional District of Central Okanagan boundary to the south end of Ewings Landing.

@aaron_hemens aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com

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