File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Juniper Ridge Evacuation Routes

Evacuation route tours being held for Juniper Ridge residents

Jul 24, 2023 | 11:45 AM

KAMLOOPS — More than two years after a large interface fire threatened homes in Juniper Ridge, the City of Kamloops says residents in the neighbourhood will be able to drive the new emergency evacuation routes.

In a news release issued Monday (July 24) morning, the City says residents are invited to pre-register for tours of two of the three evacuation routes – the Juniper East route from Kickinghorse Drive that connects to Valleyview Drive and the Coldwater Drive route leading to High Canada Place – on Saturday, July 29. The Galore Drive route is accessible, although the City says it will not be included in the tour.

The tours will take nearly 5 to 15 minutes to complete and will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Only cars, SUVs and trucks will be able to drive in the tours.

Image credit: City of Kamloops

“Vehicles will be led down the route by a pilot vehicle to limit speed and ensure driver safety. This will mimic the process that will be used in the event of an emergency,” Will Beatty, Kamloops’ emergency preparedness manager says. “Since there are limited time slots and each registered time slot will allow a maximum of 10 vehicles, residents are encouraged to carpool with neighbours to allow as many residents to experience the routes as possible.”

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During the tours and in the event of a real fire, City and emergency response staff will be stationed at various points along the emergency access routes. Residents are told that the tours are not mock evacuations, but escorted, self-driven tours of the emergency evacuation routes to allow staff to test their emergency procedures and to provide residents with driveable access to understand the routes.

In the event of an emergency, the City says Highland Road — the only public road in and out of Juniper Ridge — will still be used to evacuate residents. Additionally, City staff and emergency responders will determine the safest evacuation route for residents, dependent on the emergency situation.