Emergency Preparedness

Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Thursday said province has already learnt lessons from 2021 flooding. (Drive BC)

Low rainfall may elevate drought, wildfire risks in B.C. this summer

October 2022 was one of the driest and warmest Octobers on record

Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Thursday said province has already learnt lessons from 2021 flooding. (Drive BC)
The provincial government has announced another $180 million to help communities prepare for disasters related to climate change. (Drive BC)

More provincial money announced for climate change preparedness across B.C.

Premier David Eby announced the funding Tuesday afternoon

The provincial government has announced another $180 million to help communities prepare for disasters related to climate change. (Drive BC)
More federal support is on the way for British Columbia following the 2021 flooding and landslides that ravaged interior communities like Princeton. (Photo courtesy of Rhonda Caron)

More help on the way for B.C. communities ravaged by flooding and landslides: feds

Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair made the promise in a statement to Black Press Media

More federal support is on the way for British Columbia following the 2021 flooding and landslides that ravaged interior communities like Princeton. (Photo courtesy of Rhonda Caron)
Debris from receding flood waters is pictured along a road as heavy rains form an atmospheric river continue in Abbotsford, B.C., Nov. 30, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Flood mitigation crucial to preventing future disasters: Senate report on B.C.’s 2021 floods

Future flood damages could be 10-times worse, one witness testified

Debris from receding flood waters is pictured along a road as heavy rains form an atmospheric river continue in Abbotsford, B.C., Nov. 30, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Rick Boehm, Thornhill and regional district fire chief, with the department’s new ladder truck. (File photo)

Remote northwest B.C. community left without a fire department due to volunteer shortage

Almost 200 homes in Dease Lake will have to fend for themselves in case of fire

Rick Boehm, Thornhill and regional district fire chief, with the department’s new ladder truck. (File photo)
The paramedics’ union is pushing the province for changes to address staffing shortages plaguing rural communities, said union president Troy Clifford. (Photo courtesy of Ambulance Paramedics of BC)

‘It’s a broken system,’ say emergency responders about B.C.’s rural paramedic shortages

Quadra Island had no local paramedics available for 11 days during the summer and fall

  • Oct 23, 2022
The paramedics’ union is pushing the province for changes to address staffing shortages plaguing rural communities, said union president Troy Clifford. (Photo courtesy of Ambulance Paramedics of BC)
Rising flood waters are seen surrounding barns in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. B.C.’s Ombudsperson is hoping to speak with people who were impacted by 2021 floods and wildfires to determine how well the government responded. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

B.C.’s Ombudsperson wants to hear from people impacted by 2021 floods, wildfires

Office is investigating whether provincial support programs were administered fairly

Rising flood waters are seen surrounding barns in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. B.C.’s Ombudsperson is hoping to speak with people who were impacted by 2021 floods and wildfires to determine how well the government responded. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Smoke from wildfires in B.C., Washington State and Oregon continue to cause poor air quality across much of the province. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

Air quality improving, but varying degrees of smoke to remain in much of B.C.

Wildfires burning in B.C., Washington State and Oregon causing hazy skies

Smoke from wildfires in B.C., Washington State and Oregon continue to cause poor air quality across much of the province. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
The Weasel Creek wildfire as seen by an air attack officer on Aug. 13. The wildfire is one of only two fires of note, as of Aug. 29. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. wildfires: Fires of note reduced to 2

Connell Ridge fire near Cranbrook reclassified as of Monday (Aug. 29)

The Weasel Creek wildfire as seen by an air attack officer on Aug. 13. The wildfire is one of only two fires of note, as of Aug. 29. (BC Wildfire Service)
BC Wildfire Service crews are battling 215 active fires throughout the province as of Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: 215 fires burning, 72 of them out of control

Close to 40,000 hectares have burned this year

BC Wildfire Service crews are battling 215 active fires throughout the province as of Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
Aerial crews work to extinguish a wildfire in the Kamloops Zone. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: Close to 40,000 hectares burned so far in 2022

Burn area far lower than 2021’s more than 850,000 hectares

Aerial crews work to extinguish a wildfire in the Kamloops Zone. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
Fire activity at the Maria Creek wildfire on Aug. 1. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. wildfires: Blazes in southern regions continue to challenge crews

50 active fires burning across the province

Fire activity at the Maria Creek wildfire on Aug. 1. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
BC Wildfire Service crews are using planned ignitions to control where wildfires are burning. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: 55 blazes burning, 8 of particular concern

Steep, rocky terrain and hot, dry conditions posing challenges for crews

BC Wildfire Service crews are using planned ignitions to control where wildfires are burning. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
Over 400 firefighters are tackling the wildfire at Keremeos Creek, near Penticton. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: 8 fires of note burning in province’s south

Keremeos Creek fire near Penticton by far the largest at 5,903 hectares

Over 400 firefighters are tackling the wildfire at Keremeos Creek, near Penticton. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
A BC Wildfire Service photo shows fire activity at Maria Creek near Pavilion on Aug. 2. The service says wildfire activity will continue throughout August. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

Intensified wildfire activity expected to continue through August: BC Wildfire

Southern areas will bear the brunt with above seasonal temperatures forecast

A BC Wildfire Service photo shows fire activity at Maria Creek near Pavilion on Aug. 2. The service says wildfire activity will continue throughout August. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
Firefighters are battling 91 active fires in B.C. as of Aug. 3, including at Keremeos Creek near Penticton. Here, they work to implement small-scale planned ignitions along Highway 3A. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfire season intensifies with 91 active blazes, 5 of note

Vast majority believed to be caused by lightning

Firefighters are battling 91 active fires in B.C. as of Aug. 3, including at Keremeos Creek near Penticton. Here, they work to implement small-scale planned ignitions along Highway 3A. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
Merritt on Nov. 15, 2021, following torrential downpour for several hours, sparking flooding and evacuation orders. (Photo: Bailee Allen).

B.C. evacuees can now get emergency funding through e-transfers from the province

Emergency Support Services e-transfer registration requires BC Services Card app

Merritt on Nov. 15, 2021, following torrential downpour for several hours, sparking flooding and evacuation orders. (Photo: Bailee Allen).
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Inuvik, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson, warning temperatures could rise to 32 degrees today. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay) (Courtesy of Pixabay)

British Columbians told to prepare as temperatures set to ramp up this weekend

Province issues heat-safety tips ahead of potential heat waves

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Inuvik, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson, warning temperatures could rise to 32 degrees today. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay) (Courtesy of Pixabay)
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair arrives at a news conference Tuesday June 9, 2020 in Ottawa. Blair announced an advance payment of $870 million for B.C.’s disaster recovery efforts July 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Feds deliver $870M of promised $5B disaster recovery fund to B.C.

Money to go to rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by 2021’s fires, floods

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair arrives at a news conference Tuesday June 9, 2020 in Ottawa. Blair announced an advance payment of $870 million for B.C.’s disaster recovery efforts July 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Mike Farnworth speaks to invitees of the Build Back Better, Together intergovernmental flood recovery forum in Abbotsford on July 14. (Twitter/Watershed Watch Salmon Society)

Flood recovery forum in Fraser Valley focused on ‘breaking down silos’

Governments, private sector representatives met in unprecedented way to discuss rebuilding region

Mike Farnworth speaks to invitees of the Build Back Better, Together intergovernmental flood recovery forum in Abbotsford on July 14. (Twitter/Watershed Watch Salmon Society)