RDEK

A grassfire along Jaffray Baynes Lake Road prompted a full response from the South Country Fire Departments this evening.

With the warm temperatures over the past few days, the potential for thunderstorms in the long term forecast, and the anticipated start of spring freshet, the RDEK has set up a number of self-fill sandbag stations and is reminding residents about the need to be cautious around all waterways.

The RDEK is encouraging residents who live in flood-prone areas to take steps to be prepared in the event the region does experience localized flooding.

Self-fill sandbag stations have been set up at:

Saturday, May 6th is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day and residents across the East Kootenay are being asked to take action to help protect their homes and properties from the risk of wildfire.

“The probability of damaging wildfires has increased in recent years and it’s important that residents prepare themselves and their homes for the possibility that a wildfire will happen near to their community,” explains RDEK Wildfire Resilience Supervisor Terry Balan.

A public hearing has been scheduled regarding an application to permit residential development on private property known as the Galloway Lands adjacent to Fernie Alpine Resort.

“We recognize there has been a great deal of community interest in this proposal on all sides. That is one of the key reasons members of the Board supported going to public hearing. This is the formal opportunity for us to hear directly and on the record from residents and is a critical piece of the bylaw amendment process,” explains RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay.

The Fernie Transfer Station is now home to a year-round household hazardous waste collection depot.

“This depot will provide Elk Valley residents with an accessible way to discard of hazardous materials that are commonly found in their homes and help keep these products out of the landfill,” says RDEK Environmental Services Manager Kevin Paterson.

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is celebrating significant progress in the transition to low carbon transportation.

The RDEK is seeking nominations for outstanding volunteers throughout the rural areas of our region for the 2023 Electoral Area Volunteer of the Year award.

Nomination forms are now available and, as it has in past years, the Regional District will be honouring one outstanding volunteer or couple from each of its six Electoral Areas.

The Regional District of East Kootenay will be holding community meetings in both Electoral Areas A and G later this month.

Columbia Basin Trust has successfully added 60 kilometres of high-speed fibre optic cable to its broadband network in the South Country, between Jaffray and Roosville. Internet service providers can now connect to this regional backbone, receive a higher-quality connection, and in turn improve the services they offer to customers.

The RDEK is celebrating its 2022 Electoral Area Volunteer of the Year award recipients.

“At a time when volunteerism is declining in many places, we are so grateful to have such strong support from our community members, year after year,” says RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay. “This year’s award recipients have shown up time and again to show their support for their communities and those who live and work around them.”