RDCK Bulletin for Aug. 22: Only two evacuation orders remain
By Regional District of Central Kootenay
*Evacuation Alert rescinded for the communities of Argenta and Johnsons Landing. Evacuation Alert rescinded for Village of Slocan and a portion of the surrounding area in Electoral Area H. Evacuation Order partially rescinded on the west side of Slocan Lake due to Mulvey Creek wildfire.
Currently there are two Evacuation Orders remaining in the RDCK:
- Evacuation Order for three parcel identifiers due to Mulvey Creek wildfire (Slocan Lake Complex)
- Evacuation Order for 1 address due to Argenta Creek wildfire (Lavina Complex)
Currently there are four Evacuation Alerts remaining in the RDCK:
- Evacuation Alert for Komonko Creek wildfire (Slocan Lake Complex)
- Evacuation Alert for Ponderosa wildfire (Slocan Lake Complex)
- Evacuation Alert for Mulvey Creek wildfire (Slocan Lake Complex)
- Evacuation Alert for Nemo Creek wildfire (Slocan Lake Complex)
For the latest information on Evacuation Alerts and Orders go to www.rdck.ca/eocinfo.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains in regular communication with BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) to monitor the fires within the region. There are currently 88 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre and 38 listed as out of control. This is a dynamic situation that can change hourly, so residents are encouraged to be prepared and follow the BCWS website and the RDCK website for the most accurate and up to date information.
Road Closures
The Glacier Creek FSR on the east side of Duncan Lake in Electoral Area D remains on Evacuation Order and CLOSED. The area continues to be impacted by the hazards of wildfire. Glacier Greek Regional Park remains closed until further notice. Park structures were not damaged due to the wildfire, but a risk assessment must be completed before the park can reopen to the public.
Returning Home After an Evacuation Order
The RDCK advises all residents to read through the information in this re-entry document on what to do when you return home after a wildfire.
For those residents who lost power for a significant period of time, they could be returning home to fridges and freezers full of spoiled food. Some homeowners may also find their fridges and freezers have stopped working, due to blown compressors as a result of power surges when power returns. Read this document for more information on how to remove food and prepare your fridge or freezer, as well as instruction on how to minimize wildlife attraction.
For residents that were unable to utilize the collection service for damaged refrigerator units provided by the RDCK, the Christian Aid Ministry has volunteered to help transport damaged fridges and freezers to the landfill. Please call 250-254-2417 to make arrangements for assistance. Please note, fridges and freezers must be cleaned out before the Christian Aid Ministry can pick them up.
A reminder to residents that all RDCK transfer stations and landfills accept residential (non-commercial) appliances for recycling free of charge.
Resiliency Centres:
Three Resiliency Centres will be available to assist residents who were evacuated due to the wildfires in our region. These centres are dedicated to support the community’s recovery and will provide essential information, resources, and connections to NGOs offering well-being support for those returning home.
Two Disaster Psychosocial Support (DPS) members will rotate between the three Resiliency Centres. These trained professionals are available to assist residents in coping with the immediate effects of the wildfire and offering psychological first aid. This includes providing practical assistance, helping residents manage stress, and connecting them with additional mental health resources as needed. They are there to support the well-being and resilience of those impacted by the wildfires. Once established, their schedules will be posted on the RDCK website www.rdck.ca/eocinfo.
Silverton Memorial Hall, 203 Lake Ave.
August 23 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
August 27 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
August 30 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Argenta Community Hall, 1024 Argenta Johnsons Landing Rd.
August 28 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
W.E. Graham Community Service Society (Learning Centre), 1001 Harold St.
August 22 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
August 26 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
August 29 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Temporary Access Permit (TAP)
Temporary Access Permits (TAP) are restricted to the following:
- Critical Infrastructure or utility agencies may require access in order to service (i.e. refuel, inspect) or make repairs to affected critical equipment and sites;
- Members of the agriculture sector or residents that may need to make essential repairs to fencing, feed, or evacuate livestock, or tend to essential crops;
- Community members may request access so they can retrieve important documents or supplies (ex. medications, business items), or tend to their domestic animals.
Applicants who have applied for a TAP will be notified whether their application has been approved or denied the evening prior to their requested date of entry by email. If you have applied for a TAP, please anticipate receiving an email from the RDCK EOC.
Temporary Access Permit Application
Temporary Access Permit Guidelines
Slocan Lake Complex wildfire
The Slocan Lake Complex includes the Komonko Creek wildfire, Mulvey Creek wildfire, Nemo Creek wildfire, and Ponderosa wildfire. A complex is created when multiple wildfires are managed by a single Incident Management Team, and resources and equipment are shared between all incidents in the complex.
As of August 3, the Aylwin Creek and Komonko Creek wildfires merged at Enterprise Creek and moving forward are referred under the Komonko Creek wildfire.
As of August 22, both the Komonko Creek wildfire and the Ponderosa wildfire are being categorized as `Being Held` by BCWS.
Area Restriction details updated August 12: Slocan Lake Complex Area Restriction.
The BCWS has shared a video outlining how they use night vision technology to continue using aerial resources during the night. You can watch the video on the BCWS YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YImFW6UtE4o
Wildfire updates can be found under the Response tab of the incident pages on the Wildfire Map.
Residents are encouraged to contact the BCWS Information Officer with any questions regarding the Slocan Lake Complex wildfire: BCWS.Slocan.Information@gov.bc.ca
Komonko Creek wildfire, N51210 (merged with Aylwin Creek wildfire N51065)
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert for all properties impacted by the Komonko Creek wildfire. Click for more details:
Nemo Creek wildfire, N51103
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert. Click for more details:
Mulvey Creek wildfire, N51117
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded a portion of the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert due to Mulvey Creek, as well as rescinding the Evacuation Alert for the Village of Slocan and a portion of the surrounding area in Electoral Area H. Click for more details:
Ponderosa wildfire, N51069
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has rescinded the Evacuation Alert for the Village of Slocan and portion of the surrounding area in Electoral Area H. downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert. Click for more details:
Lavina Complex
The Lavina Complex includes the Argenta Creek wildfire, Lower Meadow Mountain wildfire, and Howser Ridge 3 wildfire. A complex is created when multiple wildfires are managed by a single Incident Management Team, and resources and equipment are shared between all incidents in the complex.
Wildfire updates can be found under the Response tab of the incident pages on the Wildfire Map.
Argenta Creek wildfire, N71058 (merged with Glacier Creek wildfire, N71098)
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has rescinded the Evacuation Alert for the communities of Argenta and Johnsons Landing. An Evacuation Order remains in place for Glacier Creek FSR, which includes just one property. The Area Restriction for Argenta Creek area was rescinded effective 12:00 pm on August 22. Click for more details:
On July 27 BCWS merged the Glacier Creek wildfire information with the Argenta Creek wildfire.
General Information
For more information on the wildfires refer to BCWS website, BCWS Facebook and BCWS X.
Visit www.rdck.ca/eocinfo for the complete details of all current evacuation orders and alerts. Follow the RDCK on Facebook and X. Affected residents with any questions can contact the RDCK Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 250-352-7701.
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