Welcome to the Our Area F blog.
We acknowledge that Area "F" of the RDOS is within the traditional, unceded territory of the syilx people in the Okanagan Nation.

Hello everyone, I've had several calls recently about the upcoming election, so I wanted to be upfront with all of you: I will not seek re-election as your Area “F" Director this October. Running again was a decision I was truly mulling over. I love this work, and it isn't easy to step back from it. But things have changed for me personally - my aging parents have recently moved in with my family, and I want to be there for them. After a lot of thought, it felt like the right

Hi all, so it is Monday already (again) and GWB remains on evacuation alert. There are no new updates for GWB from BC Wildfire (which is a good thing). The wildfire is at its farthest from GWB since this event began, according to the online maps. BC Wildfire, PIB, Guardians, City of Penticton Fire Department, along with international firefighters (muchas gracias, bomberos) have been working exceptionally hard on the southern flank of the fire and GWB is directly benefiting fr

Hi everyone, this is an unofficial update from me and comes with a few caveats. First, this information can change at any time as the wildfire remains out of control. Second, I am not an emergency responder, so the following is my best understanding of a complex and dynamic situation (take it as such). Finally, elected officials do not have authority within an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). Therefore, this update has no authority, influence, or power over future EOC updat

It has been one week since the Bald Ridge Wildfire began. Greater West Bench is in day six of being on evacuation alert, and it is common to feel a bit of fatigue or skepticism at this point. However, Blue Mountain in the southern flank of the fire remains a concern (guards are established). The fire remains out of control and growing on all fronts, although it is contained in the northeast corner, which is why Highway 97 is currently open with limited hours (7am-7pm). Afte

Hi all, I am sure you are all watching the Bald Range wildfire on the BC Wildfire site, RDOS Emergency site, or NASA-FIRMS site and know that the fire is growing southward. At this time, there are no changes to current evacuation alerts. However, be sure you have signed up for Voyent Alert and keep your phone with you. Below is a list of links - keep connected to what is happening. We've been on evacuation alert for a few days now; please remain vigilant. The wildfire remains

Hoping this is helpful, it is an unofficial list of useful links to sites like BC Wildfire, ESS, RDOS Emergency (evac orders/alerts) maps, etc. in one place. When I hear of a new resource, I will update the list. For edits or additions, please email rgettens@rdos.bc.ca or call me at 250-488-0246. Thank you, Riley https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vipnEEiu41bOUR510W6zHQ_vu4FA7u8Q79OGsJFHiK0/edit?usp=sharing

Today at 1:30 pm, BC Wildfire is schedule to provide an update. You can watch via the RDOS YouTube Channel. You'll have to click on the NEW link provided on the RDOS YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@OkanaganSimilkameen/featured

This is unofficial information, shared with you as your elected director. It is not a release from RDOS, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations, or BC Wildfire Service. For official updates, always check the links below directly. The RDOS is working on public meeting for Monday, August 10. More info to come. Where the fire stands: The Bald Range wildfire (K51490) is approximately 10,340 hectares and remains classified as out of control. Fire behaviour has been volatile since

This is unofficial information, shared with you as your elected director. It is not a release from RDOS, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations, or BC Wildfire Service. For official updates, always check the links below directly. I know you are worried about what's left, and worried about pets and animals you couldn't take with you. This is a lot to carry. If you need to talk to someone, the BC Mental Health Support Line is free and available 24/7: 310-6789 (no area code neede

Aug 8, 2026 10:15 am Greater West Bench and Red Wing are not currently under an Evacuation Order or Alert but that can change fast – the Bald Range wildfire continues to aggressively grow and remains out of control. If you have not already done so, prep your home, gather your family, check in with neighbours who might need a hand - especially anyone elderly, living alone, or without a way to get updates themselves. A few things worth doing right now: Visit Getting Ready for

RDOS Electoral Area Candidate Nomination Packages will be available online and at the RDOS on Tuesday, August 4th. Voters need options and candidates need debate. A fuller field of candidates means a richer, broader conversation about the future of Area “F” and the regional district. Area F has critical decisions ahead from sustaining water systems and protecting aquifers, to investing in community assets like trails and parks, while navigating intensifying drought and wild

The pre-feasibility study to determine the viability of a jointly owned water treatment facility is in draft form and not available for distribution currently. However, the RDOS released the following today: News Article Published: March 31, 2026 INFORMATION RELEASE As part of the Utility Acquisition Policy process, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and the snpink’tn Indian Band (PIB) conducted a pre-feasibility study to determine the viability of a join

Below is a copy of the email I sent to citizens who I have connected with about the SMWS. You are receiving this email because you have either subscribed to the OurAreaF.com blog or we have connected about the Sage Mesa Water System referendum. I won’t send another mass email like this again and apologize for the intrusion. The sentiment that ratepayers did not create the SMWS problem and should not bear the cost is understandable, and it is a position the RDOS Board h

The province remains firm : public money will not flow to privately-owned utilities. This post compares long-term borrowing (available to local governments) vs raising rates to fund work (the province’s funding option). The province can’t borrow long-term. The Comptroller’s notice shows how this affects SMWS citizens. 2026 03 30 Update: Please note, my original post included the 'Availability of Service Charge (per year)' in the residential rate estimate. That is incorrect

The sentiment that ratepayers did not create the SMWS problem and should not bear the cost is understandable, and it is the position the RDOS Board has advocated for repeatedly at the provincial level . Our MLA, Amelia Boultbee, continues to advocate for this position. Still, the province’s response remains firm: public funding will not flow to a privately owned water utility. This provincial stance has been confirmed on the record in the Legislature (question period), in wri

2026 03 26 update: Here is the letter that has been mailed to all citizens within Greater West Bench. Today, I took a few minutes to address the Sage Mesa Water System referendum as this is the last board meeting before Advance voting takes place on April 1 st . general voting day is April 11th. Assent Voting Information . Here is my statement from the March 19, 2026 Board Meeting: I want every eligible Sage Mesa Water System resident walking into that vote with accurate inf

The McElhanney Assessment has three phases of work. The first phase, estimated at $10.1 million, covers critical distribution and reservoir upgrades that are required regardless of water source or treatment. In the second phase of work, McElhanney estimated two potential water source options and suggested a third consideration Connect with City of Penticton, tie into the West Bench Water System, estimated at $6.4 million. The 242 Sage Mesa Water System citizens build their

A 2000 RDOS Board letter is being framed as either a smoking gun or a blueprint. Twenty-six years of history tells a different story. A letter from the RDOS Board to the province, dated June 2000, continues to make the rounds in the current Sage Mesa Water System discussion. It is being presented as either proof that today's Board is ignoring its obligations, or as a ready-made template for how the Board should respond now. That framing deserves scrutiny: 26 years of history

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is aware of an administrative error within in the Sage Mesa Water System Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3076, 2024. While the error is unfortunate, the error does not affect the validity of the bylaw. Bylaw 3075, 2024 , the Sage Mesa Water System Service Establishment Bylaw establishes an RDOS water service for Sage Mesa. The Service Establishment Bylaw works in conjunction with Bylaw No. 3076, 2024 , the Sage Mesa Water S

Hi all, RDOS/PIB Pre-feasibility Study: The RDOS/PIB water treatment plant pre-feasibility study has been received by the RDOS and will undergo an internal review by staff before presentation to the Board. Once the Board formally accepts the study for information, the Board will direct staff to post the assessment on RDOS sites. I'll also share it through the ‘Our Area F’ blog. As a reminder, the pre-feasibility study will assess whether an RDOS jointly owned water treatm