VERNON - Due to significant effort from the BC Wildfire Service and provincial, First Nation, national, and international partner agencies, the White Rock Lake wildfire is now considered Being Held. The wildfire is not likely to spread beyond determined containment lines due to the suppression carried out by BC Wildfire Service.

Over the last 52 days, firefighters and support personnel from around the world have maintained response efforts on the White Rock Lake wildfire. Managing a wildfire of this size and complexity requires the skill and knowledge of many people. At its peak, the fire camp in Vernon housed over 500 people directly engaged in wildfire response. The BC Wildfire Service thanks the commitment of heavy equipment operators, helicopter pilots, camp kitchen operators, facility managers, incident support staff, security staff, among countless others, to keep firefighters supported on the ground.

Considerable work remains on the White Rock Lake wildfire to completely suppress it. The BC Wildfire Service will remain engaged in wildfire suppression efforts until there is no risk of impact to public health, critical infrastructure, property, or environmental, economic and social values.

Earlier this week, the BC Wildfire Service recommended to local authorities that evacuation orders and alerts around the White Rock Lake wildfire may be downgraded due to minimal wildfire risk. As a result, many of the evacuation orders and alerts have been rescinded. As natural disaster response moves into the recovery phase, local authorities have set up supports for those returning home after an extended time on evacuation order. For further information, contact your local authority.

Learn More:
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Contact:
White Rock Lake wildfire Information Team
BC Wildfire Service
778-694-0787
BCWS.WhiteRockInfo@gov.bc.ca

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