With residents now returning to properties impacted by the White Rock Lake fire, the Regional District of North Okanagan has moved into the recovery phase for this event. It is expected that as a result of Evacuation Orders and the loss of power in the area, large quantities of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) may be generated and will need to be properly managed at various solid waste management facilities throughout the Regional District of North Okanagan and the Regional District of Central Okanagan.
The White Rock Lake wildfire impacted properties in multiple jurisdictions. Due to space constraints at some of these facilities, the RDNO encourages residents to confirm which regional district they reside in and to take waste requiring disposal to the corresponding landfills and transfer stations in that area. The recovery phase for this event may also include disposing of fridges and freezers that have been without power and contain spoiled food.
RDNO Electoral Area B residents must bring waste related to fire recovery to the Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility located at 120 Birnie Road. This facility has greater capacity than the Armstrong/Spallumcheen Diversion and Disposal Facility (ASDDF). Fire recovery debris, other than household garbage, will not be accepted at the Armstrong/Spallumcheen location.
Some RDNO residents have proceeded with the disposal of impacted refrigeration appliances and their contents. Please note that RDNO Diversion and Disposal Facilities WILL NOT ACCEPT refrigerators or freezers still containing food waste. It is the responsibility of the owner to remove the contents and dispose of it separately. At RDNO facilities, the refrigeration appliances will be decommissioned by a qualified contractor to prevent the release of ozone-depleting substances into the atmosphere, and the scrap metal will be recycled. If you have a refrigeration appliance requiring disposal as a result of the White Rock Lake fire and are unable to bring it to disposal facilities yourself, please contact us at 250-550-3700 to find out if there are other options available in your area.
Regional District of Central Okanagan residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the North Westside Road Transfer Station, the Trader’s Cove Transfer Station, the Westside Residential Disposal and Recycling Centre, or the Glenmore Landfill for all waste related to fire recovery.
Regular disposal fees will apply for all materials disposed at RDNO facilities. For information on hours of operation and disposal fees, visit www.rdno.ca/solidwaste.