UPDATE: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 – 5 PM
Fire Conditions
Sorrento residents may have noticed the wildfire was active to the west of the tracks overnight. CSRD and BC Wildfire fought much of the night and there was no structure loss thanks to the great work of our teams.
An evacuation order was issued door-to-door to 14 properties whose residents evacuated the impacted area.
The water supply was temporarily interrupted due to a communications failure issue which has been corrected. Firefighters quickly adapted and did an excellent job to keep the fire away from structures. A boil water advisory in Sorrento remains in place.
Cooler weather and the potential for rain today and tomorrow are creating conditions for firefighters to increase their attack on the wildfires. Wind will increase fire behaviour in the region. Those in Evacuation Alert areas should remain on alert.
Structure Loss
Phone calls to property owners to discuss structure losses are underway. We appreciate your patience as we conduct this effort. If you have not heard from us, contact the EOC call centre at 250-833-3350 and provide your information.
Emergency Support Services (ESS)
ESS will be open on Thursday, August 31 from 8 AM to 12 PM (noon) and then closed in the afternoon while the team moves to a new location at the Fairfield Inn & Suites (790-16 Street NE). ESS will reopen on Friday, September 1. Operating hours will be 7 days a week 9 AM – 4 PM The phone number remains the same 250-833-3360.
Information Line Hours
Beginning on Thursday, August 31 the Emergency Operations Information Line at 250-833-3350 will be open from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Food Safety
Those affected by significant power outages are advised that all perishable foods should be assessed and disposed of immediately upon your return. If your fridge and/or freezer has foul odours it may need to be replaced. Be sure to discuss this with your insurance company first. Discard anything that has completely thawed. Be sure to make a list of the items you’ve had to discard as part of your insurance claim.
Garbage Bins in the Community
Garbage bins for affected areas are located at Celista Fire Hall, Scotch Creek Market, Anglemont Ross Creek General Store, and Lee Creek.
Refrigerator and freezer disposal is now available for residents of Sorrento, Angelmont and St. Ives. Be sure to speak to your insurance provider before discarding your appliance.
If you think it’s UNSAFE to open your refrigerator/freezer, or you have been instructed to discard it:
- Seal the doors shut with duct tape
- Label the appliance “CONTAMINATED” in large print
Transport the appliance to specified locations as outlined below:
Sorrento:
Residents can take appliances to the Skimikin Transfer Station (Open Friday to Thursday 10 AM to 4 PM) or the Salmon Arm Landfill (Open 7 Days a Week - 9 AM. to 5 PM.)
Anglemont & St. Ives
Ruined refrigerators and freezers on properties located outside of the Evacuation Order areas of the North Shuswap can be brought to a drop off location that has been set up at:
Ross Creek Store (6929 Squilax-Anglemont Road). There is also a bin placed in this location for residential garbage.
Residents of Lee Creek, Scotch Creek, Celista & Magna Bay will receive instructions when the Evacuation Order is rescinded.
BC Hydro Update
Work continues to repair the significant damage to BC Hydro infrastructure throughout the fire area. This includes replacing hundreds of damaged poles, conductor lines and transformers before restoring service. Please give the crews a safe space to do their work.
Wildfire Information Briefing
Click here to view the Information Briefing update from Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 12 PM
The CSRD will host a LIVE Wildfire Information Briefing on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 1 PM. The video will be available on the CSRD YouTube channel. Under the Subscribe button hit “All” to get a notification when it begins (must have the YouTube app on your device for this to work).
Evacuation Status Dashboard Please visit the Shuswap Emergency Program website to view the interactive map to find out if your property is on Evacuation Alert or Order.
BC Wildfire
For the latest updates on the Bush Creek East wildfire (K21633), visit the BC Wildfire Dashboard.
Structure Losses
Property Status Online Search Tool, access: https://www.csrd.bc.ca/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1683
Prescription Deliveries
Those that are out of the Evacuation Order areas and need support with medical prescriptions, please call 250-833-3397.
Donations
Call the CSRD: 250-833-3396.
Livestock Assistance
Call the CSRD Agricultural Line: 250-833-3399.
Emergency Support Services (ESS)
Call: 250-833-3360.
Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)
Call: 250-833-3350 or email [email protected].