Okanagan Indian Band working on recovery plan after homes, business destroyed by wildfire
The White Rock Lake wildfire has destroyed 10 homes and one business on Okanagan Indian Band land along Westside Road near Vernon, and work is already underway to develop a recovery plan.
The homes and the well-known Little Kingdom Gas Bar were destroyed, while four dwellings were damaged when the wildfire rolled into the community this past weekend.
The area received about 10 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, according to a release from the band today, Aug. 17.
“Thanks to the rain and the drop in temperature as well as quick action from BC Wildfire and structural protection personnel there have been no additional confirmed structural losses within Okanagan Indian Band IR#1,” the band said.
An evacuation order remains in place but it is being reviewed.
"On the recovery front, OKIB has already begun to work on a recovery plan for our community," the band said. "There will be more complete information coming from the emergency operations centre regarding the re-entry process for areas which have been impacted by the wildfire forthcoming. We are also in discussion with Emergency Management BC regarding setting up the ability for an OKIB wildfire donation service."
Another 70 structures were damaged further south in the Killiny Beach and Ewings Landings area.
The cool, damper weather has meant that some evacuation alerts triggered by the White Rock Lake fire have been eased.
READ MORE: Evacuation alert for Kamloops rescinded
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