Emergency support services ready for wildfire season

And according to Drive BC, Highway 16 is currently closed in both directions at Mountain View Road.

Earlier: After the Teare Creek wildfire broke out on Friday near McBride, first starting off at 11 hectares in the morning then ballooning to 600 hectares in the evening, emergency operations went into effect immediately, including evacuation orders and alerts. The decision making behind the orders and alerts is all about safety.

“Our first priority is ensuring the safety of responders and people in the area. So when we get word that there’s a fire or any sort of natural disaster or emergency in the area, our priority is is not around managing the fire, for example, but it’s about getting people out of the area.” – Renee McCloskey, Manager of External Relations, RDFFG

While this is certainly an early start for wildfires, it is not unheard of to have significant activity in May.

“About eight years ago, we had a significant wildfire event out by Norman Lake, and that was in and around the first first two weeks of May. So it doesn’t happen a lot, but it has happened before.” – Renee McCloskey, Manager of External Relations, RDFFG

Here in Prince George, the City’s emergency support services are available and ready. The reception centre can help evacuees with a number of different services.

“We have some basic food and water available for people if they need it as they’re coming in. But mostly what we have is people for them to talk, to, find out how they’re impacted by the fire. And then we have supports available. So the provincial emergency program offers 72 hours of basic support. That would be hotel lodging right now, food. So we can either provide groceries or restaurant meals. And if people are evacuated without a previous alert, we can actually provide clothing, other incidentals. So really, just to make sure that they’re safe and that they’re well taken care of.” – Tanya Spooner, Manager of Emergency Programs, City of Prince George

For the most up to date information on wildfires, please visit the BC Wildfire Service website.

by Adam Berls

Emergency support services ready for wildfire season

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