Over the past week, the Cariboo region has experienced an unprecedented amount of fire activity. The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) one week ago on Thursday, July 6 to address the emergency situation.
Currently, there are sixteen evacuation orders and six evacuation alerts within the Cariboo Regional District. These evacuation orders and alerts remain in place for the safety of the public. The CRD, in consultation with the Cariboo Fire Centre, will not keep individuals from their homes and places of business any longer than is necessary, but public safety is and must remain the top priority.
“The Cariboo region is experiencing an emergency situation like never before. We ask residents and evacuees to remain patient and understanding of evacuation alerts and orders as the wildfire situation in the region is still dynamic. The safety of residents is our top priority when we decide to activate orders and alerts or keep them in place,” said CRD Chair Al Richmond.
The CRD sends out an update to notify affected residents when the status of an evacuation alert or order changes. Residents are encouraged to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text or call regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders: member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612292#/signup and for information about all emergency updates, please visit cariboord.ca or facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations or @CaribooRD. You may also contact the Public Information Line at 1-866-759-4977.
To date, the CRD has confirmed that eight known structures have been lost due to wildfire. All of the affected property owners have been notified. The CRD continues to gather information about the status of structures in the region and will contact individual property owners before releasing details publicly.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the BC Wildfire Service who is working extremely hard to protect our communities as well as all the emergency responders and volunteers who are helping us manage this disaster,” continued Richmond. “Our CRD volunteer fire departments, along with other professional and volunteer fire departments in the region, are working tirelessly to help protect structures. Our Search and Rescue volunteers have been helping evacuate residents when evacuation orders and alerts are issued and countless volunteers are helping in Emergency Social Services (ESS) reception centres as well as in communities across B.C. that are welcoming our displaced residents. Thank you all for your support.”
Quick Facts:
- CRD area under evacuation alert: 2,883 square kilometres
- CRD area under evacuation order: 10,858 square kilometres
- Total estimated CRD population on alert: 10,750
- Total estimated CRD population on order: 9,828
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