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By Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness Jennifer Rice

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Keep yourself and your family safe by preparing for wildfire season

Jul 14, 2021 | 9:07 AM

WILDFIRE SEASON IS HERE and we’ve already seen some recent wildfire events in the province, including the devastating loss of Lytton. As we all know, wildfires can move quickly and recent events demonstrate just how vital it is to be prepared to evacuate quickly and safely.

On average, there are more than 1,600 wildfires in British Columbia every year. They can have ecological benefits to the landscape, but can also threaten homes, businesses and vital infrastructure. The probability of damaging wildfires has increased in recent years, due in part to the effects of climate change.

Planning ahead can help protect loved ones and reduce stress in the event of wildfire, or any other kind of emergency. Below are some steps you can take to help prepare for the possibility of a wildfire evacuation.

Make a plan

If you haven’t already made your household emergency plan, that’s a great place to start. A plan will help ensure that you and your loved ones know what to do when it’s time to spring into action. An emergency plan is a playbook for how you and your household will respond to disasters, including wildfires. Knowing what to do will reduce anxiety and help keep you focused and safe.

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You can start by downloading a fill-in-the-blanks emergency plan from PreparedBC.ca to compile the vital information you’ll need and establish how you’ll communicate and connect with loved ones, particularly if you become separated. When you’re done, make copies for grab-and-go bags at home, at work and in your vehicle.

Put together grab-and-go bags

The next step? Make grab-and-go bags. In the event of a wildfire, you may need to leave home quickly. Take time now to build grab-and-go bags for each member of your household so you’re not caught off guard. Start with the basics, including food, a phone charger, a first aid kit, important documents, personal toiletries, seasonal clothing, an emergency blanket and a whistle.

Then think about the additional needs of your household. Do you have pets? Do you have young children? Are you a foster parent? Are you caring for seniors or people with disabilities? If yes, prepare and customize bags specific to their needs.

You can also buy pre-packed grab-and-go bags. An extra kit for the car is another great idea.

Preventing wildfires and protecting your home

It’s important to remember that human-caused wildfires are preventable. They typically occur by activities such as open burning, the use of engines or vehicles, or anything else that can create a spark or a heat source sufficient to ignite a wildfire.

Everyone can play a role in mitigating wildfire risks around their homes and properties by undertaking FireSmart activities. Removing combustible material from 10-to-30 metres from your home and keeping your lawn watered and mowed will greatly increase the probability that your homes will survive a wildfire event.

Pay attention to evacuation alerts and orders

Listen to local officials for information about evacuations and prepare in case you must leave your home on short notice. Stay tuned to your local authority’s public information channels, as well as EmergencyInfoBC for updates: http://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca

In the event of an evacuation order, you must leave the area immediately. Local authorities will not ask you to leave without good reason and failing to leave when asked by officials puts you and others at risk.

It’s up to all of us – government, individuals and business owners – to make preparedness a priority and to keep ourselves and our communities safe.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.