Care home residents were returning to the Village of Chase with the evacuation order relating to the White Rock Lake wildfire having been rescinded.
Interior Health announced Tuesday, Aug. 10, that it had begun supporting the return of care home residents in Chase, and that the process would occur gradually to ensure appropriate staffing and resources are in place.
Interior Health said it supported the relocation of Parkside Community Retirement Living residents and community clients with higher care needs on Aug. 7 to neighbouring communities, due to local evacuation alerts prompted by the wildfire which, as of Aug. 10, was estimated to be 55,649 hectares in size. A reduction in fire activity led to a number of evacuation orders being downgraded to alerts, and alerts being rescinded including the one in Chase.
The Chase Primary Health Care Centre and Chase Health Clinic were not impacted by the alerts.
The health authority said it was monitoring the situation closely as the wildfire remains unpredictable, and that it would continue to work closely with municipalities, regional districts and the BC Wildfire Service to ensure precautions are underway to protect patients, clients, and residents.
Those requiring support during this crisis are encouraged to call the BC Crisis Line at 310-6789.
Read more: White Rock Lake wildfire: Evacuation alerts rescinded for Chase, Spallumcheen
Read more: Chase mayor asks residents to be prepared, not panic, during evacuation alert
lachlan@saobserver.net
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