Drivers urged to avoid unnecessary travel near wildfires

Road Safety at Work officials said employers need to plan for the risks posed to employees driving to work, with rapidly changing wildfire conditions further compounding risks.

“The best way to keep workers safe from wildfire smoke is to limit exposure. During wildfire season, employers need to monitor conditions and be prepared to change schedules or postpone travel when risks increase,” said Todd McDonald, head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC.

“Employers should also understand the individual needs of workers, such as pre-existing medical conditions that could be aggravated by wildfire smoke, and plan work accordingly.”

In a statement, Road Safety At Work said closures, evacuation orders, and changing fire conditions can make a routine trip dangerous.

This comes as Drive BC said Highway 97 is closed in the area between Clinton and 70 Mile House due to the Pear Lake wildfire, along with several other major highway closures as a result of fires burning across southern B.C.

“Emergency crews need to get to fire scenes quickly,” Acres said. “They can’t be delayed by unnecessary traffic on response routes.”

Road Safety At Work encourages drivers to plan ahead and check Drive BC for updates and details about road conditions.

“Follow instructions from emergency and traffic control personnel. Plan your trip to include checking in with someone along the way to report your latest location,” said Road Safety At Work.

Officials said there are other safety measures drivers should keep in mind when driving in smoky wildfire conditions, such as keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle.

“Don’t speed. Be alert. Increase your following distance to four to six seconds. Keep your headlights and tail lights on. Visibility often worsens in valleys or dips where there’s a creek, lake, or other water source,” said Road Safety At Work.

“Roll up windows and shut exterior air vents to keep smoke out. Use the recirculation mode on your air conditioning every hour for about 15 minutes to allow the air filter to remove contaminants and let fresh air in.”

You can find more driving safety tips at Road Safety At Work’s website.

by Elora McCormack

Drivers urged to avoid unnecessary travel near wildfires

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