The evacuation alert in place for seven properties in the Clowhom Lake area has been cancelled and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is stepping down an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for this event.

B.C. Wildfire has advised that recent weather has allowed for progress to be made in fighting the Clowhom Lake Fire . The list of properties that were previously under evacuation alert can be found here.

As was stated in a news release this weekend, the BC Wildfire Service has advised those returning to properties in the area to be prepared. Roads and land may be impacted by debris and fire-damaged forest. Anyone re-entering the area should be prepared to deal with hazards including but not limited to danger trees, erosion and the impacts of rainfall as well as continuing fire operations including crew, aviation and heavy equipment work. It is also expected that low-vigor fire activity will be observed within the fire perimeter and smoke will be visible well into the Fall.

The SCRD has also stepped down the EOC for this fire event.

“We are so appreciative of the work done by the hardworking crews of the B.C. Wildfire Service in helping keep our communities safe,” says SCRD Board Chair Leonard Lee. “I would also like to commend our own staff, working in the EOC for the excellent coordination which allowed for those who could have been in harms way to safely evacuate the area.”

The SCRD utilized the Region’s emergency alert system during this event. A reminder to those living in rural areas  and municipalities to please take time to sign up to Voyent Alert. It takes a few minutes and will ensure that evacuation alerts and orders are sent directly to your chosen method of communication. Learn more at www.scrd.ca/alert-system

Finally, with significant rain events taking place, and more on the way, the SCRD is reminding residents to please take some time to clear culverts in and around your home. The graphic below shows which culverts are your responsibility.

The culverts marked “Road maintenance contractors’ responsibility” are the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Capilano Highways on the Sunshine Coast. If you have concerns about a culvert that is not on a property as shown above then contact 604-740-0667 or 604-740-8985. You can also contact your local municipality should you have concerns about blocked culverts near your residence.

After significant rainfall on the Sunshine Coast, local fire chiefs, in consultation with the Provincial Coastal Fire Centre have lifted the campfire ban for the Region.

While campfires are once again allowed, backyard burning is still prohibited until mid-October.

“We have seen the destruction that wildfires have brought to other parts of our Province this summer. On behalf of the fire chiefs and the Sunshine Coast Emergency Program, we appreciate the diligence shown by residents these past few months,” says Gibsons Fire Chief Rob Michael. “That being said, the threats associated with fire never go away so please check in with your local fire department if you have any questions about current regulations.”

Further information can be found via each fire department at www.scrd.ca/fire-departments

Effective immediately, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has declared an end to Stage 4 water conservation regulations on the Chapman Water System.

Residents are asked to please inform neighbours and friends who do not access information online about the changes.

The South Pender Water System will remain on Stage 3 water conservation regulations. Staff are constantly reassessing these regulations and updates will be provided when available. Unfortunately, the area has not received the amount of rain required to scale back water conservation regulations at this time.

The Eastbourne Water System remains at Stage 4 and there is no change to Egmont, Cove Cay, North Pender Harbour and groundwater sources in Langdale, Soames Point, and Granthams Landing which all remain at Stage 1.

“Thankfully, this has been a shorter period at Stage 4 water conservation regulations than past years on the Chapman Water System,” says SCRD Chief Administrative Officer Dean McKinley. “I want to commend our staff for their forward thinking and innovation in the early Summer months which played a significant role in maintaining water supply in Chapman Lake.”

A water supply update will be provided to the SCRD Board tomorrow (Thursday, September 28) during the Committee of the Whole meeting which begins at 9:30 a.m. You can watch this update via the SCRD’s YouTube channel. The update will also be posted on www.scrd.ca tomorrow morning.

Learn more about water conservation regulations at www.scrd.ca/water-regulations

The State of Local Emergency (SOLE), in place due to a wildfire at Clowhom Lake has been cancelled.

The evacuation order for seven properties in the Clowhom Lake area has been changed to an evacuation alert. Further information on properties affected by this evacuation alert, including steps that those under evacuation alert should take can be found by clicking here.

The SOLE has been cancelled due to more favorable weather conditions and operational progress made by the BC Wildfire Service. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is very grateful for the tireless work of the BC Wildfire Service in helping keep our communities safe.

The BC Wildfire Service has advised those returning to properties in the area to be prepared. Roads and land may be impacted by debris and fire-damaged forest. Anyone re-entering the area should be prepared to deal with hazards including but not limited to danger trees, erosion and the impacts of rainfall as well as continuing fire operations including crew, aviation and heavy equipment work. It is also expected that low-vigor fire activity will be observed within the fire perimeter and smoke will be visible well into the Fall.

The SCRD’s Emergency Operations Centre remains active to ensure prompt coordination of resources if required.

Further information on the fire can be found via the BC Wildfire Service.

The hardworking staff and volunteers at Xwesam / Roberts Creek Volunteer Fire Department were shocked last week when they discovered that a large quantity of diesel had been stolen from the fire hall.

The theft is believed to have taken place last Friday (September 15), after 8:30 p.m. The diesel that is stored at the fire hall is crucial for emergency response efforts.

The diesel tank at the fire hall

“Having been Chief here for a number of years, I can say that this is one of most disgusting acts that our fire department has faced,” says Chief Pat Higgins. “To think that anyone believes they have the right to steal from our fire department and jeopardize our ability to respond to emergencies in our community is completely unacceptable.”

The theft is under investigation and the fire department is asking anyone who may have information about this theft to contact police and quote file number 2023-6769. The fire hall is located on the Sunshine Coast Highway at the intersection of Roberts Creek Road.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has replaced the fuel to ensure there will be no service impacts because of the theft. Security monitoring has been increased at the fire hall.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will begin installing water meters in Sechelt area residences and businesses.

At its meeting on April 20, 2023, the SCRD Board awarded a contract to Neptune Technology Group Canada Co. for Phase Three of the water meter installation project.

“Phase Three is the final phase of the universal meter installation project and involves installing water meters in the District of Sechelt, including West Sechelt, West Porpoise Bay, Downtown Sechelt, East Porpoise Bay, Sandy Hook, Tuwanek, Selma Park, Davis Bay and Wilson Creek,” says Bryan Shoji, Manager, Capital Projects.

Meters were installed for SCRD water customers in Egmont/Pender Harbour, Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone and West Howe Sound between 2014 and 2017.

Water metering is a widely recognized industry best practice. Many cities and regional districts across Canada have already metered their water infrastructure. Water meters help measure and manage water supply and are a critical tool for leak detection and resolution. It is common for communities to realize a reduction in water consumption by 20% to 30% after the installation of meters. Since water meters were installed in the Town of Gibsons in 2009, the average annual water consumption decreased from 781 liters per day to 357 liters per day in 2022.

Water meter installations are expected to begin in mid-October 2023 and be complete by July 2025. The contractor will communicate directly with each water customer affected by this project to provide details and instructions on how to make a water meter installation appointment. In addition, the SCRD Let’s Talk water metering page will be updated with project specific information for the duration of the project.

“As witnessed during this and last summer’s unprecedented droughts, it is critical that we use our water resources as efficiently as possible,” says Shane Walkey, Manager, Utility Services. “The installation of water meters and backflow prevention devices will provide much needed information to optimize the delivery of safe and reliable drinking water.”

For more information on the SCRD’s water metering program and to ask questions online, go to letstalk.scrd.ca/water-metering. For information on water supply and projects, visit www.scrd.ca/water-updates.

The evacuation order for the Clowhom Lake area in Electoral Area B in the Sunshine Coast Regional District has been expanded.

A total of ten properties are now on Evacuation Order due to the Clowhom Lake wildfire. The Evacuation Alert area has also been expanded to include more Crown land; no further properties have been added to the Evacuation Alert.

The order ensures protection of human life and property while firefighters work to control the wildfire and protect critical infrastructure.

The evacuation order was made by the Sunshine Coast Regional District Emergency Operation Center (EOC), based on advice from the British Columbia Wildfire Service.

The BC Wildfire Service and the Sunshine Coast Regional District are continuing to work together to co-ordinate efforts to protect people and property.

The BC Wildfire Service has command of the site. At last update, the lightning caused wildfire was 231 hectares and slowly continuing to spread. BC Wildfire will post updates on the fire status and response here.

For more information, please visit www.scrd.ca.

This afternoon, Leonard Lee, Board Chair of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) ordered a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) due to a wildfire at Clowhom Lake.

An evacuation order has been issued for seven properties in the Clowhom Lake area in electoral area B in the Sunshine Coast Regional District. An additional five properties have been put on Evacuation Alert. The order ensures protection of human life and while firefighters work to control the wildfire and protect critical infrastructure.

The evacuation order was made by the Sunshine Coast Regional District Emergency Operation Center (EOC), based on advice from the British Columbia Wildfire Service. Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue will be expediting this action.

The BC Wildfire and the Sunshine Coast Regional District are continuing to work together to co-ordinate efforts to protect people and property.

“It is important for people to abide by evacuation orders” says Rob Michael, EOC Director. “Structure protection is also being implemented for properties within the alert area”.

The BC Wildfire Service has command of the site. The lightning caused wildfire is currently 231 hectares and it is slowly continuing to spread.

For more information, please visit www.scrd.ca.

Our water supply is at risk due to prolonged dry weather. Effective Friday, September 8, and until further notice, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has declared Stage 4 (severe) water conservation regulations for water users on the Chapman Water System. The Chapman Water System services homes and businesses in Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, and part of West Howe Sound.

Stage 4 water conservation regulations means a BAN ON ALL OUTDOOR USE OF SCRD DRINKING WATER.  This includes, but is not limited to, watering gardens and greenhouses, construction activities, road and property maintenance. Under these drought conditions, water use priorities focus on water for human health, firefighting and minimum creek flow requirements.

“Due to sustained heat and hardly any rain in the past few months, Chapman Lake levels have dropped triggering the need to start using the Chapman siphons and Edwards lake storage,” says Dean McKinley, SCRD CAO and Acting General Manager of Infrastructure Services. “This has unfortunately led us to have to make the difficult decision to move to severe water regulations.”

Commercial farms are exempt from Stage 4 water conservation regulations for food crops, for a two-week period, commencing from the first date of Stage 4 regulations, September 8 to 22. All businesses and residential properties using water indoors are encouraged to plan a water reduction strategy to reduce water consumption as much as possible during Stage 4.

The SCRD is offering a bulk water filling station, located in Langdale, to support business continuity for farm irrigation or construction projects impacted by Stage 4. Please contact 604-885-6806 or email infrastructure@scrd.ca to enquire.

“The fire danger rating is currently very high on parts of the Sunshine Coast,” says Matt Treit, Manager of Protective Services. “On behalf of all our Fire Chiefs, I ask that our community obey Stage 4 water conservation regulations to ensure we have adequate water supply in the case of wildfire on the Sunshine Coast.”

Other Water Systems

All SCRD water users on the Egmont, Cove Cay, and North Pender Harbour water systems as well as groundwater sources in Langdale, Soames Point, and Granthams Landing remain at Stage 1 until further notice.

The South Pender Harbour water system will continue to follow Stage 3 water conservation regulations until further notice.

For the Eastbourne water system, Stage 4 water conservation regulations have been declared.

These regulations apply to the use of SCRD drinking water not to the use of rainwater, private well water or any forms of recycled water.

Enforcement

The SCRD may proceed directly to fines without warnings for regulation violations in Stage 4 water conservation regulations. Continued non-compliance may result in multiple fines.

Staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form.

For more information, contact the SCRD at 604-885-6806 or infrastructure@scrd.ca. Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details.