August, 2022 Archives

The Village is seeking a Coordinator of Community and Corporate Services. Detailed advertisement and position description can be reviewed at this link

This is a CUPE 608 position, with a 35-hour week at a 2022 rate of $30.24 per hour. The Village also offers an excellent benefits package.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to forward a detailed resume by 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 30, 2022 to The Village of Keremeos, Box 160, 702-4^th Street, Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0, Attention:  Marg Coulson, Chief Administrative Officer, Fax 250-499-5477 or email cao@keremeos.ca

The highlights of the Regular Council meeting which took place Monday, August 15, 2022 at 4:30 pm can be reviewed here.

The next Regular Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers, 702-4th Street, Keremeos.

The Village of Keremeos was notified by Telus today that a planned outage in the Keremeos area will take place this evening (Aug 13) some time between 10pm and 6am. The outage is to repair damage from the recent wildfires.

Telus reports that the outage could be up to two hours, and will impact TV, internet, land line phones and cell phones, including 911 calls.

Due to the possible impact on 911 calls, the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre has made arrangements for the Keremeos Fire Hall to be staffed this evening. Anyone unable to dial 911 overnight should attend the Keremeos Fire Hall, 513-7th Avenue, to request help.

Please direct questions to Telus at 1-866-558-2273 or *611 on your Telus mobile device.

The next Regular Council meeting will take place Monday, August 15, 2022 at 4:30 pm in Council Chambers, 702-4th Street, Keremeos. Review the agenda here.

As of 10 am, Thursday, August 11, 2022, the Evacuation Alert for properties north of 7th Avenue in Keremeos has been rescinded.

Highway 3A is still only open to RDOS evacuees returning to their homes. Monitor DriveBC for updates on the route.

Because wildfire season continues, residents should remain vigilant and alert to risks:

• FireSmart your property
• No open fire or flame (including campfires, tiki torches, fireworks, outdoor campstoves)
• Dispose of cigarette butts into fireproof receptacles
• Avoid use of any machinery that could spark near dry grass or other flammable material

The Village of Keremeos wishes to thank all residents and businesses for your cooperation and for your support of evacuees.

The Village of Keremeos has an immediate vacancy for a full-time, permanent Labourer 1 position. The hourly wage for 2022 is $27.02, with a great benefits package. In addition to 8-hour shifts Monday through Friday, the Labourer 1 must be available 24/7 for call-outs in one-week rotations approximately once a month.

Interested applicants should submit a resume to the Public Works Foreman publicworks@keremeos.ca no later than 4:00 pm, Wednesday, August 24, 2022.

Keremeos Creek Wildfire update for Wednesday, August 10, 2022:

Some Evacuation Orders and Alerts were amended or rescinded today, allowing a number of RDOS residents to return to their properties. Highway 3A is only open to returning evacuees and remains closed to through travel. BC Wildfire continues to make good progress on the wildfire, and is closely monitoring the current risk of lightning.

The RDOS Emergency Support Service Reception Centre in Keremeos will be open on Thursday, August 11th, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Victory Hall, 427-7th Avenue, Keremeos.

For more information, continue to monitor rdos.bc.ca Hot Topics.

Keremeos Creek Wildfire update for 6:30 pm, Tuesday, August 9, 2022:

Evacuation Orders and Alerts remain in place, and Highway 3A remains closed. BC Wildfire reported today that despite the Keremeos Creek Wildfire being classified as "out of control", they are making good progress on fire control lines. View more info here.

The RDOS Emergency Support Service Reception Centre in Keremeos will be open again on Wednesday, August 10th at 9:00 am, Victory Hall, 427-7th Avenue, Keremeos.

Evacuees with ESS vouchers for RV sani-dump services may go to the Elks Rodeo grounds, 3010 River Road East, Keremeos, between 7am and 5pm daily. A volunteer there will accept your voucher and direct you to the sani-dump.

For more information, visit rdos.bc.ca Hot Topics.

With current Evacuation Orders and Alerts in the Keremeos region, now is a good time to think about FireSmarting your property. 

Take a few moments to review the Village of Keremeos FireSmart program page.

The FireSmart "Last minute checklist" may be of particular interest to those on Evacuation Alert who wish to ensure their property is as ready as possible for a wildfire.

Keremeos Creek Wildfire update for 5:00 pm Monday, August 8, 2022:

Evacuation Orders and Alerts remain in place, and Highway 3A remains closed. BC Wildfire reports that 405 firefighters, 21 fire engines, 15 water tenders, 16 helicopters and 43 pieces of heavy equipment continue to work on containing the fire. 

The RDOS Emergency Support Service Reception Centre in Keremeos was busy again today, and will be open tomorrow, August 9 at Victory Hall, 427-7th Avenue, Keremeos, starting at 9:00 am.

The Village of Keremeos wishes to thank the firefighters, all the people who are volunteering their time and their homes to help others in need, and the Keremeos businesses who have donated and contributed: Buy Low, The Ranch and Subway.

For the latest updates from the Emergency Operations Centre, monitor the RDOS EOC updates at Hot Topics rdos.bc.ca

Keremeos Creek Wildfire update for 7:00pm, Sunday, August 7, 2022:

Evacuation Orders and Alerts remain in place. Fire activity was similar to yesterday. The temperature inversion over Keremeos broke down today providing a slight improvement in air quality.

The RDOS Emergency Support Service Reception Centre was extremely busy today providing support to residents who have been evacuated. The Reception Centre will be open again at Victory Hall, 427-7th Avenue, Keremeos, on Monday, August 8 at 9:00 am. 

Continue to monitor the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre updates at Hot Topics rdos.bc.ca

Keremeos Creek Wildfire update for 7:30pm, Saturday, August 6, 2022:

Evacuation Orders and Alerts remain in place. Prevailing winds are once again causing poor air quality and falling ash in Keremeos.

The RDOS EOC and Village of Keremeos became aware of some evacuated individuals requiring support today. An Emergency Support Service (ESS) Reception Centre will be open at Victory Hall, 427-7th Avenue, Keremeos, tomorrow, Sunday, August 7 at 10 am. ESS staff will be able to assist with support such as food vouchers and accommodation.

Evacuees who are registered with ESS, but staying in RVs are eligible for septic tank vacuum service at the Rodeo Grounds, 3010 River Road East, Keremeos between 3 and 4 pm, Sunday, August 7 (by Keremeos Septic Services truck). Note that those wishing to have septic tank vacuum services must get vouchers from ESS at Victory Hall to show that they are evacuees.

For residents that have not already familiarized themselves with the Keremeos FireSmart program for protecting your property from wildfire, visit the Village's website at this link for helpful tips. Residents on Evacuation Alert, may wish to print out the Last-Minute checklist to keep with their evacuation readiness pack.

Continue to monitor the RDOS EOC updates at Hot Topics rdos.bc.ca

The Evacuation Alert for Keremeos properties north of 7^th Avenue remains in place. BC Wildfire reports that there has been minimal spread of the Keremeos Creek wildfire to the south since last night, and the active fire area remains north of Olalla.

Those with respiratory issues should note that a temperature inversion in the valley is currently holding smoke in and decreasing air quality. Highway 3A closures continue, so check DriveBC before travelling that route.

Fire personnel and emergency managers are preparing for temperatures rising again in a few days. The Village will continue to work with the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre throughout the weekend and will be in touch if there are updates.

To monitor updates from the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre, visit rdos.bc.ca "Hot Topics".

As the Keremeos Creek wildfire is spreading in a southerly direction, the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre and Village of Keremeos are issuing an Evacuation Alert for properties north of 7th Avenue in Keremeos. Please visit the RDOS website at this link to review the map of properties on Evacuation Alert. The link also contains important instructions on how to prepare for a possible evacuation.

This is not an order to evacuate. Should an Evacuation Order be issued, you will be told which Emergency Support Services Reception Centre to report to.

Residents should be aware that the Keremeos area is currently the subject of a Smoky Skies Bulletin Please take a moment to review the bulletin, especially if you have respiratory issues.

Intermittent closures of Highway 3A may become more frequent. Please check Drive BC for possible closures before planning travel on that route.

The Village will be in touch again when we have updated information.