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British Columbia News
2017 BC Wildfire and evacuation resources
https://news.gov.bc.ca/14994 Wednesday, July 12, 2017 8:21 AM
B.C. is facing one of the worst wildfire seasons in more than a decade. The Province of British Columbia has declared a provincial state of emergency to ensure a co-ordinated response to the current wildfire situation and to ensure public safety. The last provincial declaration of state of emergency was issued in August 2003 to deal with wildfires.
Keeping people safe is the top priority and part of this is ensuring that people are informed of the latest information in this rapidly evolving situation.
This page will be updated on an ongoing basis with the latest information. You can also follow the latest wildfire news on social media via:
Twitter:
BC Wildfire Service: https://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo Emergency Info BC: https://twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC PreparedBC: https://twitter.com/PreparedBC
DriveBC: https://twitter.com/DriveBC Facebook:
BC Wildfire Service: https://www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo
News releases and information bulletins and announcements related to BC wildfires:
Smoke from burnoff operation on 150 Mile House fire - July 12, 2017
BC Wildfire Service crews will conduct a controlled burnoff operation on the south side of the 150 Mile House fire today (July 12, 2017) to create a clear and safer perimeter where ground crews can work.
Area restriction order for the Sutherland Road Fire - July 12, 2017
A public access restriction for areas around the Sutherland Road wildfire is now in effect and will remain in force until the public is otherwise notified. This restriction was put in place to protect the safety of the public and firefighting personnel.
Current conditions and resources in Coastal Fire Centre - July 11, 2017
The BC Wildfire Service is fully prepared to respond quickly to any wildfire activity in the Coastal Fire Centre. Although some resources are being deployed to the Interior to help fight the large fires there, sufficient firefighters and equipment will remain in the region to maintain a first response capability locally.
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Evacuation resources:
Canadian Red Cross - evacuees are asked to please to register with the Canadian Red Cross, even if aid is not required. Registering will allow family and friends to know the whereabouts of loved ones and that they are safe. It also allows the Canadian Red Cross to contact people directly as more information and assistance becomes available. To register, visit www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses or call 1 800 863-6582.
Please note: evacuees are asked to also register with their local emergency reception centre.
Emergency reception centres and group lodgings - Anyone requiring immediate assistance with accommodations, food, medical or prescription support, is asked to register with their local emergency reception centre. Please contact your local government to confirm the location of the nearest activated emergency reception centre.
Hospitals - information on the whereabouts of hospital patients relocated due to the fires (twitter.com) is available by calling 1 877 442-2001.
Other resources and information:
Agriculture Emergency Prepardness and livestock relocation: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/farm-management/emergency-preparedness Campfire bans – given current weather conditions, BC Wildfire Service has implemented fire bans across most of the province, to help protect communities, our forests and infrastructure from wildfire. For current campfire bans and updates in your area visit: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirebans
Donations – people who are looking for a way to support those affected by the wildfires are asked to provide a donation to the Canadian Red Cross (redcross.ca) , Salvation Army (secure.salvationarmy.ca) , United Way (unitedway.ca) , Food Banks BC (foodbanksbc.com) or at any BC Liquor Store (bcliquorstores.com) .
Emergency preparedness and how to be disaster ready: http://gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC
Evacuation related information: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca and Twitter @EmergencyInfoBC (twitter.com)
FireSmart Canada is a national program that provides information on how residents and communities can prepare for wildfires: https://www.firesmartcanada.ca/
Park closures: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
Recreation sites and trails closures: www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca Road conditions and closures available at DriveBC: www.drivebc.ca
Status of wildfires from BC Wildfire Services: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status
Tourism - many areas of B.C. are unaffected and open for visitors. We urge all visitors and tourists to check with local tourism info centres for specific information on the area they wish to visit.
Weather: http://weather.gc.ca/forecast/canada/index_e.html?id=BC Wildfires of note: http://bcwildfire.ca/wildfiresofnote
Regional Districts with emergency operation centres activated Cariboo Regional District: http://cariboord.bc.ca/
Cariboo Regional District: http://cariboord.bc.ca/
Thompson-Nicola Regional District: https://tnrd.ca/
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen: http://www.rdos.bc.ca/news-events/eoc/current-eoc/
Emergency reception centres activated – updated at 4:05PM on July 11, 2017 Kamloops ESS Reception Centre
Thompson River University 900 McGill Road
City of Prince George Reception Centre College of New Caledonia
3330 – 22nd Avenue
