Emergency Preparedness

Quick current info

• Call 9-1-1 if you are in an emergency involving health, safety or fire.
• Report wildfire, campfire, open burning violation: 1-800-663-5555 / *5555
• BC Air Quality Index (Environment Canada) – Includes air quality data, interactive maps, and link to smoke forecasts. Air Quality Health Index and map
• BC Wildfire Service 1-888-336-7378 (3FOREST) – Includes an interactive wildfire map, wildfires of note, information bulletins, wildfire prevention information, and fire bans and restrictions. Note that they offer a comprehensive app for both IOS and Android. Also: Map of Current Wildfire Situations
• DriveBC 1-800-550-4997 – Includes help for planning routes, information on variable speed limit signs, major events, and highway webcams. Current road conditions and events, Highway Cams, BC Highway Cams, Plan Your Route, Inland Ferry Schedule, Border Delays, Report a Highway Problem.
• Emergency Info BC – Website (Facebook, YouTube and X/Twitter) is active during partial and full-scale provincial emergencies such as floods and wildfires (and Covid-19). Shares official response and recovery sources, and verified event information from trusted partners.

Basic Emergency Kit Supplies

• Build an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag
• Emergency preparedness on a budget

BC Information

• CBC Article: Your guide to B.C. wildfires: Maps, evacuation orders, air quality and more
• FireSmart BC - a program aimed at preventing wildfires with tools aimed at First Nations, local government and fire departments, and offers a series of guides for individuals on how to manage the landscape around homes and properties to decrease the risk of wildfires causing damage,
• Household Preparedness Guide (PreparedBC)
• Prepared BC – understand the hazards you face and how to prepare for them.
• Wildfire smoke and your Health (Government of Canada) – and tips on using an air filter Wildfire Smoke 101
• WildSafeBC - evolved out of the highly successful Bear Aware program and is managed and delivered by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation. Our motto is "keeping wildlife wild and communities safe".

Insurance

• Insurance Bureau of Canada: 2024 Wildfire Season - here is some information to help you understand your insurance coverage and the various stages of the claims process.

All standard homeowner and tenant insurance policies cover damage caused by fires and also provide coverage to help with the cost of mass evacuations. IBC advises anyone forced to flee to make a list of damaged or destroyed items and keep receipts for expenses they incur. The more details, it says, the better when it comes to making a claim. The bureau also recommends getting your insurance claim started as soon as possible.

Camping?

• How to use bearspray (2 minute ParksCanada video): Learn how to use bear spray, when and where you should store it, so you're ready in case of a bear encounter.