The Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) urges residents in wildfire-affected areas to be cautious following a debris overflow on Westside Road on Aug. 16.
The concerns centre on slope instability and monitoring for potential overland flooding.
鈥淰egetation is an important factor in the absorption of rainfall,鈥� an RDCO media release states. 鈥淭he rate of erosion declines with time but may last between three to 10 years depending on several factors, such as slope, soil type, and severity of the wildfire impact.鈥�
The best way to prepare is to be aware of changes that could signal a landslide including:
- Sudden changes in stream flow;
- Rapid changes or pulses in flow (e.g. changes in volume) or pulses of sediment (e.g. from clear to murky);
- Abnormally dirty water;
- Accumulation of large logs or debris;
- Rapid accumulation of sediment or bed-load along a flat section of a creek channel;
- Tension cracks near the top of the slope;
- Falling rocks or boulders or flowing or sliding soil as they may precede a much larger landslide.
For more information on the post-wildfire natural hazards risk analyses read the reports on and .
To report landslide or debris flow indicators, call the 24-hour provincial toll-free number at 1-800-663-3456 or contact your local fire, RCMP or public works department. Call 911 for emergencies.
