Saturday, September 23, 2023

Hell Raving Creek Area Evacuation ORDER DOWNGRADE

Courtesy of the Cariboo RD's Emergency Operations Centre:

Pursuant to the BC Emergency Program Act, the evacuation order issued on September 15, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. for the Hell Raving Creek Area is being downgrade to an Evacuation Alert by the Cariboo Regional District at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Effective immediately residents are allowed to return to the area.

Hell Raving Creek Area Order Downgrade

Evacuation Order Downgrade and Map 
Interactive Map 

More information about re-entering the area following an evacuation order can be found in the Guide to Re-Entry After an Evacuation

Please watch for livestock and wildlife on roads.

Residents should be aware that there may be danger trees in wildfire affected areas. Danger trees on Crown Land will be dealt with by the BC Wildfire Service danger tree fallers. Home owners and private land owners are recommended to work with an insurance agency to have an assessment done by a qualified arborist.

Wildfires remain active and firefighting activities continue in the area. It is important for residents to stay out of active wildfire areas. Interfering in an active fire area will result in crews ceasing ground and air operations potentially endangering nearby properties.

Since these areas remain on evacuation alert, residents must be prepared in case the area receives a future evacuation order on short notice. Local governments may not have time to go door-to-door should a new evacuation order be issued. Residents under an evacuation alert should:

  • Fill the fuel tank of personal vehicles before returning to the area.
  • Bring a minimum of three days of food and essential supplies (e.g. medications, pet supplies) with you as local grocery stores may not yet have adequate stock.
  • Have a plan to transport all family members should the area be brought under evacuation order.
  • Keep the fuel tanks of personal vehicles full in case a new order is issued.
  • Keep essential items readily available for a quick departure, including medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance), immediate care needs for dependents and, if you choose, keepsakes (photographs, etc).
  • Ensure that any dependents or pets are prepared for departure.
  • Prepare to move pets and livestock to a safe area.
  • Ensure that you have accommodation options for your family, if possible. A Reception Centre will be made available again if required.
  • Check with your insurer to determine what may be available to you if you are evacuated – homeowner or tenant insurance may provide greater support than the Emergency Support Services program.
  • Self-register for Emergency Support Services on the Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) tool at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/
  • Monitor reliable news sources for evacuation order information and the CRD’s channels on Facebook and cariboord.ca. Further information will be issued as it becomes available.

Air quality may remain poor as a result of smoke from nearby fire activity. Those with respiratory issues, small children, and the elderly should consider this before they choose to return to the area. The BC Centre for Disease Control and regional health authorities have further information on their websites about the health impacts of wildfire smoke.

Residents returning to the area are encouraged to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders impacting them.

For Cariboo Regional District information, please visit Cariboo Regional District's websiteEmergency Operations Centre Facebook pageTwitter / X feed, or call the CRD’s emergency information line at 1-866-759-4977 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily).

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