Evacuation and Local Emergency FAQ Pages
Welcome to our Evacuation and Local Emergency FAQ page. Since we have been evacuated, it's important to have up-to-date information and resources. Here, you'll find the answers you need on what to do during and after an evacuation, how to stay informed, and tips for staying safe. Our goal is to support you through this challenging time. Stay informed and stay safe.
As soon as BC Wildfire Service notifies us that it is safe to start returning services to the community, the Emergency Operations Centre will start the re-entry process. The length of time depends on the wildfire situation and the state of services in the community. There is no estimate yet for how long this will be, but re-entry and recovery planning will be the EOC's next task.
- Notification of safety
- Emergency Operations Centre returns to the community to start re-establishing services
- Restoration activities commence (removal of structural protection equipment, cleanup activities)
- Restore utilities including fuel, hydro, gas, water and sewer
- Restore essential services such as groceries, pharmacy, medical services and retail.
- Rescind the order and begin returning residents to the community.
Residents will be returned to the community when the danger to life and health no longer remains. As of May 16, 2024, hazardous conditions persist such as ongoing drought and the number of fires in the area.
A state of Local Emergency was declared on May 10, 2024. As per the Guide for Declaring a Sate of Local Emergency in British Columbia: Declaring a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) enables local authorities in the Province of British Columbia to exercise the emergency response powers listed in the Emergency and Disaster Management Act. The emergency response powers are used by the local authority to take actions such as ordering the evacuation of residents from an area, prohibiting travel, or entering private property when an emergency threatens lives, property, or objects or sites of heritage value within the local authority’s jurisdiction.
The Emergency Operations Centre is responsible to ensure resources are allocated to all coordinated operational staff on the ground working the response efforts. Requests flow through EOC Operations and are supplied as needed.
Any structure loss will be identified, documented and assessed when it is safe to do so. Property owners will be contacted directly by the Mayor or a representative of the EOC.
RCMP are in community, well staffed, and are maintaining regular patrols of the community as well as operating checkpoints as needed.
While the highway is impacted by the fire, supplies are being directed through the northern route. When it is safe to do so, access permit may be requested from the EOC to pass through the evacuation area.
SD 81 are providing regular updates and resources to parents via text, email, and through our SD81 Facebook page.
- Mark Lucas, Principal FNSS - mlucas@sd81.bc.ca
- Natasha Ostopovich, Vice Principal FNSS - nostopovich@sd81.bc.ca
- Melissa Murrin, Principal JSC - mmurrin@sd81.bc.ca
- Becky Froese, Principal RLA - bfroese@sd81.bc.ca
- Shirley Kenney, Principal GWC - skenney@sd81.bc.ca
Questions can also be directed to:
- Sarah Attrill, District Principal - sattrill@sd81.bc.ca
- Mark Theobald, Superintendent of Schools - mtheobald@sd81.bc.ca
If you have a question related to conditions in a specific area you can contact the Emergency Operations Centre at eoc@northernrockies.ca
- While on an Evacuation Order, no one may access the community that is not involved with the Northern Rockies Fire Rescue or BC Wildfire Service, or to whom an Evacuation Area Access Permit has been issued. This is to ensure the safety of the community and to ensure that resources are applied where it will have the greatest effect.
- Those who elect to remain in the community will have no access to critical or support services and must remain on their property so as to not obstruct response efforts.
ESS Questions
Find out what Emergency Support Services are available for evacuees
Billeting supports outside of BC are the same within BC.
Scattered evacuees can receive support through e-transfer.
Hotel reimbursement is not available outside of BC.
Gas/transportation not included.
Food and incidentals are reimbursed at the same rate as those within BC.
Evacuees who are unable to get themselves to a reception centre and require assistance they can contact:
- for emergency social service supports (registration, disbursements), call 250-794-3310. | 10am - 3pm
- for setting up BC Services Card and EFT, call 1-800-387-4258 | 9am - 5pm
If completing remote registration, evacuees will only be eligible for billeting and meals allowance through EFT.
ESS services are provided based on a needs assessment which is determined in a face to face meeting.
Speak to your employer and/or your insurance provider for options.
Bayshore Home Care: 1 (250) 775-1849 is available for those who need additional assistance.
BC Wildfire Service Questions
BC Wildfire service maintains an aerial attack fleet and deploys them where necessary depending on need and weather conditions. Visit the Wildfires of Note page linked below for information regarding resources for any given fire.
- BC Wildfire Service maintains information pages related to each wildfire of note. To find more information on what is being done in each area for actioning the fire and structure protection visit:
The BC Wildfire Service and Prince George Fire Centre are aware that some holdover fires from the 2023 season are now, in some areas, smouldering and producing visible smoke. This is expected on fires of considerable size or in areas experiencing ongoing drought conditions. The BC Wildfire Service is aware of ongoing activity and will determine appropriate courses of action as conditions may change.
A holdover fire is a fire that remains dormant and/or undetected for a considerable period of time after it starts. This is particularly common for lightning-caused fires, fires of considerable size, and fires that are in areas with dry Duff Moisture Codes (DMC) and Drought Codes (DC). The DMC and DC are indicators of the dryness of fuels in the duff layer, or approximately 7 cm deep and deeper.
It is possible for large fires to move deep underground and “slumber” undetected for a period of time. Heat can simmer underground for days, weeks, or even months. As the weather dries out and temperatures rise, these fires can flare up.
The BC Wildfire Service has protocols in place to patrol large fires when weather conditions could allow holdover fires to show themselves. Ground and air patrols may be conducted to look for smoke and/or heat. Ground patrols focus on identifying smoke plumes, and can be completed by staff from areas with good visibility of the area of concern. Air patrols also look for smoke plumes, but can use thermal imaging to locate heat signatures as well.
For more info, check out this blog: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/holdover-fires-and-continued-response-in-the-prince-george-fire-centre/