Okanagan officials urge water conservation amid drought conditions
Global News
Local mayors, fire chiefs and industry partners gathered at Lakestone Villas in Lake Country on Thursday.
Despite cooler temperatures and a bit of rain this week, the Okanagan is still recovering from last year’s extreme drought.
Local mayors, fire chiefs and industry partners gathered at Lakestone Villas in Lake Country on Thursday to urge residents to practice water conservation ahead of wildfire season.
“For years we have known that there are concerns when it comes to water supply in the Okanagan,” said Corinne Jackson, with the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
“The fact that we have less water available per person than anywhere in Canada and yet our population continues to grow.”
The location of Thursday’s press conference was no accident. Officials say it was chosen because Lakestone serves as an example of a community that is water and fire smart.
Last year when a wildfire came dangerously close to the neighbourhood, the homes in Lakestone Villas were not damaged.
“As you look around, you can see in the trees all around of us, in the front of us, behind us and to the side of us… the fire burnt all around this area, but it didn’t burn here,” said Lake Country’s Mayor Blair Ireland.
Around the homes in Lakestone Villas, the limbs on the trees have been moved up around six feet creating a 30-metre buffer.
