FireWise Management

Evacuations

What to do:

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A Fire Notice is for information only, and is an advisory that a wildfire is currently burning in your area and presents a risk to your life and property. Know the three stages of evacuation: Alert, Order, All Clear and monitor news sources for evacuation messages.

WHAT IS AN EVACUATION ALERT?

An Evacuation Alert is issued to advise residents of the potential for loss of life or property from fire. When an alert is issued, you should be prepared for worsening conditions. You may be required to leave your home with minimal notification of an evacuation order being issued. Monitor news sources and keep your phone free for incoming calls. Every attempt will be made to provide as much advance notice as possible, however due to changeable wind/weather conditions, you may be required to leave with little advance notice.

Prepare for potential Evacuation!

1. Gather essential items such as medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers, immediate care needs for dependants, and, if you choose, valuable keepsakes, photographs, etc. Include a couple of blankets and pillows. Be practical about what to take with you. Make them available for immediate access for a quick departure. Remember, the most valuable items in a home are its occupants.
2. Keep track of the location of all family members and determine a planned meeting place should an evacuation be called while separated.
3. Immediately relocate large pets and livestock to a safe area, if possible.
4. Arrange accommodation for your family, if possible, in the event of an evacuation. Emergency shelter may be provided. These emergency shelters will probably not permit pets, so it is suggested that alternate arrangements be made for pets at the same time.
5. Water roofs and vegetation adjacent to structures if water supplies and time permits.

FIRE PROTECTION AROUND YOUR HOME

If you live in an area on Evacuation ALERT and if time permits:

1. Clean your gutters and rooftops to ensure they are clear of needles and leaves.
2. Remove any flammable materials against or adjacent to your home or outbuildings.
3. Prune any branches of trees to at least 10 feet above the ground to provide a buffer zone between branches and forest floor.
4. Remove branches overhanging the roof.
5. It is important to ensure any prunings or other combustible materials are not left to pose a potential threat to buildings.
6. Pre-connect garden hoses to the forested portion of your home and place a lawn sprinkler on combustible roofs. Do not turn on water unless the fire is of an immediate threat. Water may be in short supply.
7. Have available a round-point shove and/or grubbing tool to prevent the spread of ground fire.
8. Close all windows and doors to prevent sparks from blowing inside.

An Evacuation Order is issued by authorities having jurisdiction in response to imminent forest fire danger to the involved area.

These orders are issued in the interest of LIFE and SAFETY. Members of the RCMP, Ministry of Forests, local Fire Departments and Provincial Emergency Program will be involved in expediting that action through door to door contact, if time permits, or via the media.

When an Evacuation is ordered:

1. You must leave the area immediately. It is imperative that you report to the Evacuation Centre indicated. This will allow for effective communications for the evacuation team and will facilitate contact by friends or relatives who may be very concerned.
2. If you need transportation to evacuate, advise the individual providing the notice of evacuation.
3. Close all doors and windows in your home. Leave gates unlocked and clear driveways for fire fighter access.
4. Keep a flashlight and portable radio with you at all times.
5. Follow your emergency escape plan and obey traffic control. Travel will be only one-way out of your area to allow emergency vehicles access. Re-admittance is not permitted.

When Can We Return To Our Homes?

You will be allowed to return to your home when the danger has passed. However, there is a possibility that the fire danger may reoccur. Continue to monitor news sources.

Act Decisively!

Evacuations can be chaotic. Fire fighters cannot seriously get to work on the fire problem until life safety issues are under control. People who resist evacuation consume fire fighter's precious time. Once you realize you need to leave, don't waste time and evacuate immediately. Delay can result in roadways being blocked by blinding smoke or fire equipment. You cannot save your loved ones, pets, and possessions if you can't get out. Listen to emergency broadcasts and follow the directions of emergency personnel.

The most important thing you can do is keep calm and be aware that an approaching fire usually will:

• Follow the direction of the wind.
• Travel faster up slopes (e.g. rate of spread doubles for every 20% increase in slope).
• Gain great speed while following uphill canyons, which create natural chimneys.
• Gain great speed when burning through grass and light brush.
• Slow down, but gain in intensity when burning through brush or trees.
• Once large enough, it can generate its own winds.
• Throw burning debris ahead of the main fire front, potentially encircling those who are in front of it.

By staying organized, monitoring a threatening situation, and taking action in a timely manner, you should be able to protect yourself and your loved ones. You will also not distract fire personnel who are trying to protect lives, homes and property.