B.C. urged to prepare for wildfire evacuations and alerts
Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene outlines evacuation readiness steps as province faces challenging wildfire season ahead.
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British Columbia's Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene is reminding residents to prepare now for potential wildfire evacuations, as the province faces what officials describe as a potentially challenging wildfire season.
Greene and Forests Minister Ravi Parmar gave an update on the current wildfire and drought situation Tuesday (June 16), emphasizing that having a household emergency plan and a grab-and-go bag can make a significant difference in an evacuation.
Essential items for a grab-and-go bag include ready-to-eat food, phone charger and battery bank, a small battery-powered or hand-crank radio and flashlight, extra batteries, a small first-aid kit, personal medications, toiletries, a copy of the emergency plan and insurance papers, cash in small bills, and seasonal clothing.
Greene said the province has created new ways to help evacuated residents access emergency support services, including in-person, online, and phone support options. Residents can create an emergency services profile now at emergency@ess.gov.bc.ca before an emergency strikes.
When asked how the province is managing the influx of FIFA World Cup tourists during wildfire season, Greene said evacuation plans are integrated into the province's emergency response plans, with coordination between the government, tourism industry, and local governments to ensure necessary messages reach residents.