Evening Wildfire Update: Structure Protection Personnel Pro-Actively Triaging // New Vulnerable Persons Database Launched

Posted:

Here is a brief evening update, including some important information on a new Vulnerable Persons Database that is for anyone in the East Kootenay and some other important preparedness messaging for residents to undertake at the Alert stage.

1. Wildfire Updates:

There is not much new information to share on the wildfire front beyond what was shared earlier today; however, we did want to pass along some important updats focused on the Matthew Creek Wildfire and two Tower Creek Wildfires, which are part of what is now being called the Bootleg Complex.

  • The Evacuation ALERTS remain in effect for the City of Kimberley and 66 properties in the St. Mary Lake area and there has been no change in their status today.
  • In addition to the Incident Management Team, there are 2 initial attack crews, 1 unit crew, 5 helicopters and 13 pieces of heavy equipment responding to these fires. 
  • Structure Protection personnel have arrived in the area, have triaged identified priority values near both the Matthew Creek and Tower Creek fires. 
    • They will be proactively deploying equipment in the St Mary Lake area and values immediately east and west of the lake. 

2. New Vulnerable Persons Database Launched

When an Evacuation Alert is issued, we know there are people within the community who may face extra challenges in the event of an Evacuation Order. 

To ensure these residents receive the extra care and attention they need during emergencies, we have launched a free, voluntary, and confidential database designed to help emergency responders identify and support residents who may face challenges such as:

  • Mobility issues
  • Vision or hearing impairments
  • Learning disabilities
  • Mental health concerns
  • Dependence on electricity for medical equipment
  • Limited access to internet or technology
  • No access to a vehicle in the event of an evacuation

Residents experiencing temporary vulnerability such as recovery from surgery or injury are also encouraged to sign up.

Individuals receiving 24-hour professional care are not eligible to register.

There are two ways to register:

Residents must provide a current address and phone number.

3. Be Prepared. Make a Plan. Pre-Register for ESS. 

We have been hearing from people who have been asking about how much time they'd have to get things packed up and organized or get back home from work in other locations if an evacuation order was issued. We cannot stress enough that the ALERT stage IS that time to prepare and it starts with making a plan.

If you are within the Alert areas, here are some things to be doing now to be prepared in the event an Evacuation Order is issued while you are away from home:

  • HAVE A PLAN FOR ANYONE THAT IS AT HOME. Do they have access to a vehicle? Are they able to leave the area in case of an Evacuation Order? Can someone in your household work from home? If you are part of a carpool will a member of your household be able to use your vehicle?
  • HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE FOR YOUR PETS. Can a neighbour take them in the event of an Evacuation Order? Can they be housed outside the Alert Area with friends or family?
  • CHECK IN ON YOUR NEIGHBOURS. Is there someone nearby that needs some help with getting ready? Reach out and lend a hand in helping them make a plan.
  • KEEP YOUR GRAB-AND-GO BAG WITH YOU and ask your employer if there is a secure place you can store it while at work (if outside the Alert area).
  • HAVE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS WITH YOU. If that is not possible store them at a location outside the Alert Area or have them backed up digitally.
  • PRE-ARRANGE A MEETING/REUNIFICATION LOCATION for all members of your household that is outside of the Alert Area.
  • MOVE RVS, BOATS, ETC to a location outside of the Alert Area.
  • STORE IMPORTANT AND SENTIMENTAL ITEMS somewhere outside of the Alert Area.

If an Evacuation Order is issued, the priority is on getting people out safely. You will not be able to re-enter an Order zone.

Another important step residents can take during the Evacuation Alert stage is ensuring they have signed up for the BC Services Card app and pre-registering for provincial Emergency Support Services. 

Pre-registering can streamline the emergency registration process, help avoid long lineups at reception centres, and allows you to receive financial assistance via Interac e-Transfer rather than paper vouchers.

Here are some steps to take to pre-register:

  • Download the BC Services Card app. CLICK HERE to view a video on this step in the process. Complete identity verification by either: 
    • visiting a Service BC office in person; or
    • using the app's Verify by Video option.
  • If you choose the video verification option, you can contact the BC Evacuee Helpline (1-800-387-4258) after submitting your video to request that their verification be expedited if an evacuation occurs.
  • Once you have your BC Services Card, you can create a profile and pre-register for Emergency Support Services (ESS) using the Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) tool. You can learn more here: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/

Having a verified BC Services Card account and an ERA profile in place before an evacuation can significantly reduce registration time and allows eligible evacuees to access remote ESS supports, including Interac e-Transfer. Individuals who do not have a BC Services Card account can still create an ERA profile and receive in-person ESS support if required.

We are working on updating our website so that all of this information will be available in one place and hope to have that in place by mid-morning tomorrow. 

That is the update for tonight.  I would anticipate our next update will be early afternoon tomorrow. As always, if something significant changes between now and then, we will let you know.