British Columbia urges residents to prepare for wildfire evacuations

Provincial officials in British Columbia reminded residents to be ready for wildfire evacuation alerts and orders. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene and Forests Minister Ravi Parmar stressed the importance of a household emergency plan and a grab‑and‑go bag that includes food, a phone charger, a battery‑powered or hand‑crank radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, a small first‑aid kit, personal medications, toiletries, insurance documents, cash in small bills and seasonal clothing. The ministries directed people to the preparedBC website for hazard‑preparation guidance and offered an emergency services profile that can be created online.

Greene noted that support services are available for those displaced, with options for in‑person, online and phone assistance to reduce wait times at reception centres. The province is coordinating with the tourism industry and local governments to ensure clear messaging, especially with the FIFA World Cup drawing visitors during the fire season.

Recent fires have already prompted actions: the Kalamoir Park fire near West Kelowna was initially under an evacuation order before being downgraded to an alert and later declared under control; the Kullagh Creek fire between Kamloops and Merritt grew to 149 hectares, leading to an evacuation order for one property and alerts for 30 others; and a 57‑hectare blaze west of Princeton triggered an evacuation alert. These incidents underscore the province’s call for preparedness ahead of a potentially challenging wildfire season.