As the hot and dry weather continues across BC, it’s important to keep wildfire prevention and mitigation top of mind. Check out Ember’s Den for helpful resources and tips for the whole family to get FireSmart!
To many, Embers from a fire may seem small and inconsequential. But these tiny flittering offshoots can travel a great distance and cause real world devastation.
For even more information, listen to the Get FireSmart™ Podcast where we interview experts from the world of wildfire. The Get FireSmart™ Podcast is available on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Some interesting topics and information came out of this months NEST meeting attended by Jm Popowich. These meetings are attended by surrounding neighbourhood communities and the City of Vernon to collaborate on emergency management and preparedness initiatives.
Here is some great information and links coming out of this most recent NEST meeting:
When is the best time to prepare for an emergency?
When there isn’t one! While our community has been navigating the ups and downs of the pandemic over the past year, an emergency – whether flood, fire or other, stops for no one, including COVID-19.
This is the time of year for all Okanagan residents to check and update their family emergency plan. If you don’t have a plan yet, the PRCEMC webpage offers plenty of resources to help guide you through the process.
“Being prepared to look after your family for at least 72 hours in the event of an emergency is something we all need to do each year,” says Jim Popowich – PRCEMC Coordinator.
He adds, “Moving from winter to spring provides a great opportunity for residents to check through their ‘grab and go’ kit. Take stock of materials you need to replenish and ensure that you replace any outdated food, prescriptions, water or other items you may need should an emergency evacuation force you from your home.”
Don’t Have a Emergency Kit?
For those that may not have a plan or kit yet, you’ll find a number of useful links, preparedness information, checklists and videos at on the PRCEMC website at https://prcemc.ca/resources-and-links/
Having a plan and kit brings some peace of mind. There may not be a lot of advance notice during the early stages of an emergency response. If the threat is imminent, you may only have a few minutes to get your family and belongings together before being directed to leave your home.”
Get Connected
Every Predator Ridge resident is encouraged to visit Vernon.ca and subscribe to receive notices directly from the City of Vernon’s Operation Centre if its activated an emergency. Also, the Vernon Connect App is now available. Read more about this app for your smart phone on the City of Vernon Website.
Residents should also be also aware that in this COVID-19 pandemic environment, health and safety protocols will be in place for any Emergency Reception Centre in order to protect Emergency Support Services volunteers and evacuees visiting in person. Also a new online program provided in conjunction with Emergency Management BC was introduced in 2020. It provides an easy online self-registration option for anyone on Evacuation Alert or forced from their home due to an Evacuation Order. During an emergency, this will help ESS volunteers administer and coordinate resources for anyone eligible for assistance and help under the Emergency Support Services program.
On February 23rd and 25th, the PRCEMC team hosted a webinar on Community Safety at Predator Ridge. If you were unable to attend any of those webinar sessions, we have posted a recording of the Feb 25th session on our YouTube channel.
Give the video a view and stay up to date on community safety and other initiatives happening in and around the Predator Ridge Community.
With the winter season now upon us, many of us turn our thoughts to the beauty and fun of skating on natural ice on local ponds and lakes. Many factors can affect ice thickness including: type of water, location and the time of year. Why not take a moment to refresh your knowledge of Ice Safety by visiting this Red Cross Website for some excellent information before you venture out on the ice.
PreparedBC offers downloadable guides and fill-in-the-blank plans to help you prepare for emergencies. Check out these excellent guides tailored specifically for you in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
Citizen involvement is the cornerstone of the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program.
At Predator Ridge, we live in a region susceptible to wildfires. You can learn how to decrease the risk of losing your homes, and how to best protect yourselves in the event of a wildfire.
FireSmart homes and neighbourhoods allow firefighters to concentrate on fighting the wildfire, which ultimately saves more homes and lives.
Neighbourhoods in which residents take steps to reduce their vulnerability have a greater chance of surviving a wildfire without the intervention of the fire department.
Our community has been on the forefront of of earning recognition as a FireSmart Neighbourhood and 2020 has been no exception. On October 17th, neighbours turned out in full force to clean-up a portion of the Birdie Lake Trail.
The FireSmart Community Recognition Program is transitioning to the FireSmart “Neighbourhood” Recognition Program. They have a great FireSmart e-Learning course on the website called FireSmart 101. It’s a terrific and informative course that doesn’t take too long (approx.-30 min). Click on the graphic below to take this online course. Very Worthwhile!
Since its inception in 2014, the PRCEMC has used this HRVA process, and continues to review and update its content on an annual basis. As you may expect, events such as Wildfire, Medical Emergencies, Break/Enter/Theft and Vandalism, Animal Encounters, as well as Missing Persons and other hazards, continue to be identified and addressed within our HRVA. Our latest review in the 3rd quarter of 2020 identified the following top 5 priorities for action:
Here is a new resource from PreparedBC website: Pandemic Preparedness Guide This guide explains how to prepare for future pandemics and remain prepared during the changing circumstances of a pandemic. PRCEMC Resources & Links Page.
VICTORIA – The BC Wildfire Service urges British Columbians to be safe in the woods and reminds everyone that the return of warm weather means an increasing risk of wildfires.
Although the start of this year’s wildfire season was quieter than normal, August is typically the most active month of B.C.’s wildfire season. This is why it is important for British Columbians and visitors to remain vigilant and ensure that they are using fire safely.
Human-caused fires are completely preventable and unnecessarily divert crucial firefighting resources from naturally occurring wildfires. From April 1 through July 29, 2020, the BC Wildfire Service responded to 239 wildfires throughout the province, approximately 85% of which were attributed to human activity.
“We know people want to get out into the great outdoors, but it’s important that everyone stay vigilant about fire safety,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “Fighting wildfires can be challenging at the best of times, but managing them in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic requires BC Wildfire Service staff to operate with even greater care. I urge everyone to support our crews by using fire responsibly and making sure that their activities don’t spark a wildfire this holiday weekend.”
Campfires are currently allowed in all areas of the province that fall under the BC Wildfire Service’s jurisdiction. However, people are urged to use caution and keep an ample supply of water nearby to fully extinguish their campfires.
Larger Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are prohibited in some regions of the province. Up-to-date information about current open burning prohibitions is available on the BC Wildfire Service website at: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirebans
Local governments and other jurisdictions (e.g., BC Parks) may have their own burning restrictions or bylaws in place. People should also check with those authorities before lighting any fire.
Campfire safety and fire precautions:
Campfires must not be larger than 0.5 metres high or 0.5 metres wide.
Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly, and wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
Maintain a fireguard around the campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil.
Never leave a campfire unattended.
Have a shovel or at least eight litres of water available to properly extinguish your campfire.
Make sure the ashes are cool to the touch before retiring for the night or leaving the area for any length of time.
Other precautions:
Anyone riding an all-terrain vehicle or dirt bike on Crown land must have a spark arrestor installed on the vehicle. To help reduce wildfire risks, check the condition of the muffler, regularly clear buildups of grass or other vegetation from hot spots, stay on dirt paths and avoid riding in tall grass and weeds.
Smokers must dispose of cigarette butts and other smoking materials responsibly and ensure those materials are completely extinguished.
The government’s conservation officers conduct regular patrols throughout British Columbia, while natural resource officers from the Compliance and Enforcement Branch work closely with BC Wildfire Service staff to investigate the cause of wildfires and any improper fire use when an open burning prohibition is in effect.
Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1 888 3-FOREST or visit: www.bcwildfire.ca
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