As 2019 Wildfire season heats up, Prepared BC introduces new Wildfire Guide for residents to review

With the impact of wildfires in British Columbia having an impact on communities across the province in recent years, the province has compiled guide that will help residents of BC better protect themselves and their homes and gain a better understanding of what to do should a wildfire approach their community.

The guide which has been put together by Prepared BC features a range of information and items of note on how to prepare, included among them:

Developing a household plan

Assembling a grab-and-go bag for all family members and pets

Learning about the local government’s emergency response plan

Tips on how to handle wildfire smoke, wildfire-related stress

How to FireSmart a property.

Some of the focus is also put on how to prepare before a wildfire event may arrive, with notes on prevention and personal and property awareness.

The Wildfire Preparedness Guide was created by Emergency Management BC, in partnership with the BC Wildfire Service, FireSmart BC and the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

Mike Farnworth, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General highlighted how the new guide will help to inform British Columbians on how to be as prepared as possible for this wildfire season.

“The first step in managing any kind of emergency is to be as prepared as possible. This guide will arm British Columbians with helpful information on how to stay safe in the event of a wildfire, and how to help reduce the stress and anxiety that an emergency situation may cause.”

The 20 page guide is available online


Some background on the information program can be explored further here and here.

Included in Tuesday's launch of the guide was a video which covers much of the same information and provides a review of some of the items of note for preparation.




While it may seem unlikely for most North Coast residents that the Prince Rupert area may be at risk from any wildfire incident, the topic was one of note for Councillor Barry Cunningham back in May.

"A year ago, two years ago this would have been a funny question, but with the hot weather that we're having around here and the fact that last summer in rain forests on Vancouver Island they had some wildfires, I would like to know what contingency plans that we have for wildfires in our area."

During the May 27th Council session, the City Councillor noted for Council the proximity of Mount Hays to the city and how any fire situation that might break out would have an impact on areas of the community.

"You take one look at Mount Hays if a fire ever started up there, with the southeast winds it would come towards the city and the only fire break I see is the golf course"

At that time Mr. Cunningham had requested that staff review the city's preparations for potential forest fires, however so far, if a report has been provided it has not been made public by the City.

The next opportunity for the councillor to inquire about the topic will come with the July 22nd meeting, which as far as timing goes, will be in the heart of this years wildfire season.

At the moment crews are working a number of wildfires in the Northwest region, with the majority of the activity taking place in the Bulkley Valley-Nechako region north of Highway 16.

You can keep up to date on incidents in the Northwest from our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.