Wildfire Community return home

Read the Returning Home Guide

As you return, please be prepared for conditions that may be different from when you left. 
Essential services may take time to fully return, and some areas may continue to experience 
impacts from wildfire response activities. Emergency officials worked around the clock to protect the surrounding communities and will continue to support recovery efforts.

We recommend bringing enough supplies to be self-sufficient, including:
• Bottled drinking water or an alternate source of potable water
• Non-perishable food and any special dietary items
• Prescription medications and medical supplies
• Pet food, water and supplies
• Cell phone chargers and backup power sources
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Cash, as payment systems may be unavailable

Drinking water safety

Before consuming tap water:
You will enter the community with varying water quality, and you may experience service interruptions as systems are brought to full operation. 

For status updates for public and private utilities, residents should check with their utility for a status update or visit drinkingwaterforeveryone.ca/advisorymap.

Continue to check the status of water quality notices. Follow the direction of your water utility provider. You may need bottled water or to boil water before drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth, or making infant formula. Consider storing additional drinking water until normal service is fully restored

Wildfire smoke, ash, soot and debris can create health hazards during cleanup.

Before beginning work around your property, gather appropriate supplies, including:

• Work gloves
• N95 or equivalent masks
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• Sturdy footwear
• Garbage bags and containers for debris collection
• Cleaning cloths, mops and disinfectants

When cleaning:

• Lightly mist ash with water before sweeping to reduce dust.
• Avoid using leaf blowers, which can stir ash and fine particles into the air.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling debris or ash.
• Keep children and pets away from heavily affected areas until cleanup is complete.

There are a number of agencies available for residents in need of counselling services as a result of the anxiety and stresses posed by the wildfire and recovery efforts. It's important to know that no matter how you are feeling, you are not alone and there is help.

• List of counselling services
• BC 211 - call or text 211
• BC Crisis Line - 310-6789 (no need to dial area code)
• Canadian Red Cross
  • Coping with crisis
  • Specialized crisis lines
• Emergency Support Services

Wildfires may increase possible risks associated with flooding and landslides. The following links provide information for property owners to consider in their emergency preparedness.

• Landslides and flooding risks due to wildfires (Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development)
• Know your hazards Landslides - (Prepared BC)
• Be prepared for floods (Prepared BC)
• Landslide Hazards (Get Prepared Canada)

Some residents may remember that during previous wildfire recoveries, refrigerators and 
freezers were often collected for disposal. Current health guidance from Interior Health advises 
that undamaged appliances can typically be cleaned, sanitized and safely returned to service, 
with the focus placed on the safe disposal of spoiled food and thorough cleaning of the 
appliance.

Interior Health recommends discarding any perishable foods that may have been stored above 
4°C, as well as any frozen foods that have completely thawed. Once spoiled food has been 
removed, clean all interior surfaces, shelves, drawers and door seals with hot, soapy water, 
followed by a sanitizing solution, and allow the appliance to air dry before use.

Talk with your insurers about what to do with your home contents, including spoiled food and appliances before you take any action. Insurers sometimes require inventory or photos.

Kelowna: Glenmore Landfill
Glenmore Landfill 2710 - 2720 John Hindle Dr. 250-469-8880
Hours of operation: Open daily: 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m

Asquith Road Transfer Station
Located at 2640 Asquith Road (off Shannon Lake Road) in West Kelowna for residential use only, no commercial material accepted.
Hours of operation: Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:50 pm

Traders Cove Transfer Station*
Open Wednesdays from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

North Westside Transfer Station*
Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ℹ️ North Westside Additional hours Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. -12 p.m. for two weeks after re-entry

*Transfer Stations for local residents only

For the most up to date information, visit rdco.com/recycle or call 250-469-6250.

Before occupying your home, take time to assess conditions safely.

Check for:
• Structural damage
• Downed power lines
• Damaged utility connections
• Smouldering materials or hot spots
• Signs of wildlife that may have been displaced by the wildfire

If you see damaged utility infrastructure or encounter any immediate hazard, leave the area and 
contact the appropriate utility provider or emergency services

For those requiring assistance with residential insurance there are two options available:

• Canadian Red Cross - has case workers available to provide support on property insurance. 
  Contact 1-800-863-6582
• Insurance Bureau of Canada - is providing information to assist insurance policy holders.
  Contact 1-844-227-542 

Insurance tips for wildfire emergency preparedness and recovery

Your water system may have quality advisories. Visit the Water Advisory Map at https://drinkingwaterforeveryone.ca/advisorymap  or your local water utility or jurisdiction’s website for more information on current water quality conditions and updates.

Boil Water Notice
A boil water notice tells you that there are organisms in the water that can make you sick. To safely consume (swallow) the water, you must bring it to a rolling boil on a stovetop for at least 60 seconds to kill these harmful organisms.

Do Not Consume Notice
If Do Not Consume Notices are in effect, boiling water will not make it safe. This water should not be used for drinking, making beverages, brushing teeth or food preparation. All water users are advised to use an alternate source of water or bottled water for the above purposes.
It is okay to use the water for household cleaning, bathing and flushing toilets. The water in your hot water tank is also unsafe for consumption. Please consult a qualified plumber before draining your hot water tank.

Wells and private systems
If you are on a well, cistern or private water system that has been damaged, assume the water is not safe to drink. Contact your private provider, call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 or visit https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/environmental-health-and-hazards/drinking-water for more information.