What’s New: Updated RDKB News Release on Nk’Mip Fire

NEWS RELEASE

Trail, BC

July 21, 2021

4:45 p.m. PT

122 properties remain on evacuation order, 304 on alert in West Boundary

View on the RDKB website: https://rdkb.com/newsreleases.aspx

An evacuation order remains in place for 122 properties in Electoral Area E/West Boundary in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) and a further 304 properties remain on evacuation alert due to the 2000-hectare Nk’Mip Creek Wildfire that is burning in both the RDKB and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.

The order and alert areas in the RDKB affect the communities of Mount Baldy, Bridesville and Rock Creek in Electoral Area E/West Boundary. A full list of addresses as well as maps of the evacuation order and alert areas are available at emergency.rdkb.com.

“It’s difficult to be ordered to evacuate or to have to be ready to leave your home at a moment’s notice. Its even more difficult if you have cattle or livestock you also need to move, which is the case for many residents in the West Boundary. RDKB staff are working with the BC Cattlemen’s Association and the BC Wildfire Service to improve communication with ranchers and farmers during emergencies,” said Area E/West Boundary Director Vicki Gee.

“The Boundary region is dry, hot and extremely susceptible to wildfire right now with these evacuation orders and alerts affecting over 400 residents in the Boundary. We need any visitors to the RDKB to stay clear of the areas where active alerts and orders are in place,“said RDKB Chair Diane Langman.

“We are asking all residents and visitors to please stay alert, informed and sign up for our emergency/evacuation notification system at emergency.rdkb.com so they can receive any alerts the RDKB may issue related to wildfires or other emergencies”.

Anyone in the West Boundary who needs assistance signing up to receive emergency/evacuation alerts can go to the Midway or Greenwood public libraries, to the Riverside Centre in Rock Creek or to the Beaverdell Post Office during business hours and a volunteer will help them sign up.

The RDKB has set up an evacuation centre at the Jack Goddard Memorial Arena at 2020 Central Avenue in Grand Forks. All evacuees are asked to register online at ess.gov.bc.ca or in person at the evacuation centre.

People who are under mandatory evacuation in British Columbia can also register with the Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., PT. Registration with the Red Cross ensures people are accounted for, can be contacted while away from home, and can also be reached with information on further Red Cross services and assistance that may become available to them during this time of need.

Anyone on evacuation alert should prepare for the possibility of an evacuation
order by doing the following:

  • Locate those people in your household or family group and designate a meeting place outside the evacuation alert area should an evacuation order be issued while you are separated from one another.
  • Arrange accommodations with family or friends outside the area.
  • Gather essential items: The 5 P’s (People, Pets, Prescriptions, Papers and Photos).
  • Prepare to move any disabled persons and /or children.
  • Move pets and livestock to a safe area outside the area.
  • Monitor news sources for additional information.
  • If an order is issued, residents must leave their homes immediately.

The RDKB asks all residents to register for the RDKB Emergency Alerting System athttps://ca.voyent-alert.com/vras/user-registration.html
or through emergency.rdkb.com.

For more information:

The RDKB will continue to update the public as new information is available.