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Wildfire firefighters finish work in Central Okanagan

Wildfire crews are finishing their work in Kelowna this week
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Credit: Carli Berry/Capital News

The B.C. wildfire crews are wrapping up work in the Central Okanagan before redeployment to other locations in the province.

Local contactors will continue to help with recovery efforts, moving forward with sandbag and lake debris removal.

Waterfront property owners with sandbag walls can begin to lower them, but should keep them at a level that protects against wind and wave action to a height of 60 centimetres above the current lake level, according to a Central Okanagan Emergency Operations release.

Residents can continue to support flood recovery efforts by bringing sandbags to the street front for pickup and disposal. Burlap and polypropylene bags should be divided into separate piles at the curb, said the release.

Residents removing sandbags and working around stagnant water should also take precautions to protect themselves, by wearing gloves and rubber boots, as well as washing hands regularly.

Under no circumstances should sandbags be emptied into any creeks, lakes, wetland, beaches or other watercourses as outlined in the Water Sustainability Act, said the release. The impact can destroy fish habitat and affect drinking water supply, infrastructure, flood control, navigation and recreational activities.

To make sure sandbags are recorded for pick up, Emergency Management BC has provided a sandbag recovery application.