With wildfire season continuing across British Columbia, residents throughout the North Okanagan are encouraged to review their emergency preparedness plans and ensure they understand the difference between an Evacuation Alert and an Evacuation Order.
An Evacuation Alert is issued when there is a potential threat to life and safety. Residents should use this time to prepare for the possibility of evacuation by assembling grab-and-go kits, gathering important documents and medications, making plans for family members, pets, and livestock, and ensuring vehicles are fueled and ready for travel.
Taking time today to prepare can help ensure a safer and more orderly evacuation if conditions change quickly.
- Write an Emergency Plan for your household
- Build an Emergency Kit and Grab Bag
- Plan for your pets
- Plan for your livestock
- Sign up for a BC Services Account
- Find more information at Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery
Residents are also encouraged to identify multiple ways to receive emergency information, including signing up for emergency notifications via the Alertable App, following official social media channels (@rdnokanagan), and trusted news sources.
An Evacuation Order is issued when there is an immediate danger to life and safety. Residents are required to leave the affected area immediately and follow directions from emergency officials. Once an Evacuation Order is in place, access to the affected area is restricted, and residents cannot return until the Order has been rescinded.
“We are not in the clear yet”, stated Shirley Fowler, Chair of the RDNO Board of Directors. “North Okanagan residents must remain prepared and take action towards how they receive and understand emergency notifications. Wildfire conditions can change rapidly, and the best time to prepare is before an emergency happens.”
RDNO residents are encouraged to visit www.rdno.ca/activeemergencies and the RDNO Facebook page for more information relating to Emergency Preparedness.
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For media inquiries:
Stacey Raftus, Communications Officer
communications@rdno.ca