Author: Gordon Wilson

City of Vernon News Release

Ellison Wildfire Risk Reduction Project now underway

January 9, 2026

The City of Vernon is advising residents that wildfire risk reduction work is underway as part of the Ellison Wildfire Risk Reduction Project, with activities continuing through to the end of April.

Crews are conducting thinning, limbing, clearing, and piling of wildfire fuels on sections of Crown land near the end of Eastside Road (View the map here or see below). As conditions allow, accumulated brush and vegetation piles will be disposed of through controlled open burning.

Residents may see smoke intermittently during this period. All burning activities are carefully planned, follow provincial regulations, and occur only when weather and site conditions are suitable.

Fully funded by the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) and administered by Forsite on behalf of the City of Vernon, this project demonstrates the value of strong partnerships in advancing wildfire mitigation and enhancing community safety and resiliency.

The City of Vernon appreciates the community’s understanding and cooperation as these proactive measures help protect people, property, and the natural environment.

Click here for more information on wildfire mitigation efforts.

Connect with the City of Vernon:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Volunteers Rock Commonage FireSmart Cleanup

Although the weather forecast looked gloomy, the sun broke out. It shone on over 30 volunteers who came out on Sunday, October 26th, to complete the third phase of a FireSmart cleanup at the top of Upper Diamond Way in the Commonage. 

Thanks to the volunteers for their dedication and effort in strengthening our community against wildfire threats. The work party filled two 20-cu.yd. bins with forest debris. As the saying goes: “Many Hands make Light Work.”

After the cleanup, a Hamburger and Hot Dog BBQ was organized for all volunteers. Special thanks to Predator Ridge for supplying the BBQ, propane, and a Toro Gator to help with the cleanup.

Thank you, everyone, for a very fun and successful day!

Staying Vigilant During High Fire Risk Conditions

With the ongoing dry weather and lack of rainfall, the threat of human-caused fires—especially intentionally set ones—has become a growing concern. Fortunately, we are supported by a network of 100 SenseNet Sensor Nodes surrounding our community, which can detect the earliest signs of smoke and fire. We are also fortunate to be flanked on both sides by large lakes, which provide quick access to water for fire suppression.

That said, our community borders lots of wildland vegetation and parkland, and this year we have seen record numbers of people visiting Ellison Park and our community to use our hiking and cycling trails. This has the potential to increase our risk of both accidental and intentional fires.

During these conditions, we all must remain vigilant and take precautions to minimize risk, while also being alert to any unusual activity that could pose a hazard. It’s crucial to recognize the characteristics of potential wrongdoers, identify signs of their activity, and encourage community awareness.

Community Awareness is Key

Early reporting and shared vigilance are crucial in maintaining the safety of our community and surroundings. Stay alert for unusual behaviour, such as:

  • Individuals loitering in high-risk areas, lingering in wooded or dry grass areas without a clear purpose, especially at odd hours.
  • Individuals carrying items that look unusual or that could be used to start a fire.
  • Individuals smoking in wooded areas or dry grass areas.

The safety and security of our community depend on all of us working together. By staying aware and reporting anything out of the ordinary, we can help protect both our natural landscapes and our community. In an era when wildfires pose significant risks, proactive efforts to prevent such incidents are more crucial than ever. Together, we can ensure that our community’s beautiful wildland interface and properties stay protected from both natural hazards and human threats.

Report Concerns Immediately

For suspicious activity: Call 911

To report a wildfire: Call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a mobile phone

NATIONAL EMERGENCY ALERT & WILDFIRE EVACUATION FULL SIREN TEST

IMPORTANT NOTICE: 

National Alert Ready System and Predator Ridge Wildfire Evacuation Full Siren Test on Wednesday,  November 20,  2024 at 1:55 PM

Dear Neighbours,  Please be advised that a National Alert Ready Test is scheduled for Wednesday November 20, 2024 at 1:55 pm. The Alert Ready system is tested twice a year, once in May and again in November.  In addition to television and radio, Alert Ready sends emergency alerts to cell phones and wireless devices that are compatible with Wireless Public Alerting (WPA). To coincide with the Alert Ready test, the City of Vernon Fire Department will be testing the Predator Ridge Wildfire Evacuation Siren. 

This Wildfire Evacuation Siren test will be a full-volume audible test of the siren for a total of 3 minutes. The siren will cycle through high and low pitches repetitively for 8 cycles; a total duration of 3 minutes. During the testing, our high power, rotating, unidirectional warning siren sound will fade in out of neighbourhoods as it makes rotations. Please keep in mind that this siren test is only 3 minutes in length. In the event the siren is activated during a wildfire emergency, the siren will sound in continuous 15 minute intervals until it is paused or stopped by authorities. 

This is only a test of the siren and Alert Ready, no action is required on your part.  For more information on Alert Ready, click here, or visit the Government of BC’s website here.  Thank you for supporting your Predator Ridge Community Safety program.

Sincerely, Predator Ridge Community Safety (PRCS)
Gord Wilson
Jane Toppozini
Gord Ball 
Robert Scott
PRCS websiteHomeowners Intranet site

Osprey Green Townhomes (OGT) Hold FireSmart Cleanup

With the hot and dry summer season approaching fast, residents of the Osprey Green Townhomes, organized their residents to cleanup a section of the common lands on their strata development.

It was a great turnout, and a significant section of the property was cleared of ground fuel. Additionally, some tree laddering was also completed.

Thank-You FireSmart Volunteers

Thanks to the efforts of a hearty group of community volunteers, another section of the Commonage forest, above Upper Diamond Way and adjacent to the District Development underwent a massive FireSmart Cleanup. Trees were laddered up approximately 2 meters off the ground and forest ground fuels were collected. Volunteers managed to fill to the brim, two 20-cu.yd. refuse bins with combustible debris from the forest floor.

Thank you to the following hard working volunteers:

Howie Anderson
Lorena Clowes
Rick Ellis
Nick Leighton
John Lemieux
Roxy McCrone
Robert Scott
Vince Timm
Claudio Verconich

Gord Ball
Stewart Clowes
Lorin Ellis
Kirsten Leighton
Nathalie Lindal
Linda Padgett
Greg Smith
Jane Toppozini
Emily Volans

Lynn Brown
Eamonn Deegan
Frank Jorgensen
Elizabeth Lemieux
Laura Mackenzie
Jim Pitura
Mandy Sutherland
Breanne Tripp
Brenda Watson

We would also like to thank Wes Brassard, the City of Vernon’s FireSmart Coordinator, and his assistant, Andrew, for attending the event. They provided excellent information about the FireSmart program and conducted homeowner FireSmart assessments in the Falcon Point neighbourhoods, afterwards.

Another big shout out goes to Breanne Tripp for organizing the Predator kitchen staff to cook our hot dogs and hamburgers following the mishap with the BBQ equipment. That worked out just great and we all enjoyed a good lunch despite that!

Also, we would like to recognize Golf Operations Manager, Damian Sayers for securing a tent for us to use. Even though (thankfully) we didn’t need to use it, we appreciated the effort from him on that front.

On the horizon, your FireSmart team is in the planning stages for a fall cleanup event, likely in October, once the golf course is closed for the season. Stay tuned for more information on that.

Thank you again to everyone that turned out to help on this one. By taking these proactive measures to reduce the risk of wildfire, we can protect our homes and community and increase our resilience to wildfire.

FireSmart Community Cleanup Event – May 18, 2024

Dear Neighbours,

Are you looking to learn more about FireSmart and what you can do to protect your home and community?  

Join us at our upcoming clean-up event and learn what you can do to FireSmart your property.  You can also visit the PRCEMC website at: PRCEMC.ca/FireSmart for more information and FireSmart resources.

CLEAN-UP EVENT:  Commonage Neighbourhood

DATE:  SATURDAY, May 18, 2024

The FireSmart Committee is excited to announce that the Commonage neighbourhood will be the site of our next FireSmart clean-up event.  The area to be cleaned is the common property and park area directly below the Dog Park.

The committee is currently looking for volunteers to assist with the clean-up and welcome all helping hands. Our collective efforts will help make our community a safer place to live.

Water and snacks will be provided, as well as safety glasses, hi-vis vests and gloves, should you require them.  Volunteers should be prepared for sloping and uneven ground and appropriate footwear should be worn.

A safety orientation will be held at the dog park entrance at 8:30am prior to the clean-up event getting underway.  We hope to see you there for a fun morning of FireSmart!

The PRCS FireSmart Coordinator will be on hand to answer questions and will be providing a Hot Dog BBQ starting at 12:30 pm for all our hungry volunteers. 

EVENT DETAILS 

DATE:  Saturday, May 18, 2024

TIME:   9:00am – 1:00pm

LOCATION:  Meet beside the entrance to the District on Diamond Way

*** IMPORTANT: ADVANCED SIGN UP IS REQUIRED! *** 

Please sign up by clicking this link

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Thank you in advance for donating your time and helping to make our community a better and safer place to live.

Sincerely,

Your Predator Ridge Community Safety (PRCS) Committee – FireSmart Team.

FireSmart Tip of the Month

Throughout wildfire season, if you are evacuated or planning to be away, remember to bring your door mats inside the house along with any other combustable items such as patio furniture, cushions, umbrellas etc.

The image above was taken after the homeowner returned home following the West Kelowna wildfire. This image shows how easily this home could have burned to the ground.