News Release No. 87            

Date:   Monday September 8, 2003      

Time:   3:00 p.m.

PRC RECEPTION CENTRE:                                     762-5361

PUBLIC INFORMATION LINE:                                 869-0386

RECOVERY CENTRE OFFICE:                                868-2632

EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES (EOC):             868-2605

BC FOREST SERVICE FIRE INFORMATION:      1 888 336-7378

_______________________________________________

NATURAL HAZARDS AND RECOVERY ASSESSMENT

As residents begin the process of rebuilding homes destroyed by the Okanagan Mountain Park fire, a number of environmental issues must be addressed.

Significant changes occur to the natural environment with a fire of this magnitude and slope stability is one area of concern that must be examined. This will include:

• the potential of rock fall
• terrain instability resulting from vegetation loss
• hydrologic changes leading to increased peak flows that could result in ash and mud slides, torrents of debris and re-emergence of ephemeral streams.

The City of Kelowna has retained Dobson Engineering to assess the risks and recommend remediation strategies. Initial assessment work will focus on identifying risks to existing structures and the risks associated with rebuilding fire-damaged homes.

The City intends to work closely and cooperatively with the Ministry of Forests and other external agencies to formulate a joint recovery plan for the entire fire damaged area. It may take five years before the environment has stabilized.