Konni Lake Evacuation ALERT (Cariboo RD Area "J") - April 23, 2026 at 7:30pm

Courtesy of the Cariboo RD Emergency Operations Centre:

April 23, 2026

7:30pm

An Evacuation Alert has been issued by Xeni Gwet’in First Nation Government, Tŝilhqot’in National Government, and the Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for 10 parcels in the Konni Lake Fire Area. This alert covers 465.96 hectares.

Because of the potential danger to life and health, the Cariboo Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert for this area:

Evacuation Alert and Map (PDF)

See an online map of the affected areas here: cariboord.ca/EOCorderalerts   

An Evacuation Alert has been issued to give you time to prepare to evacuate your premises or property should it be required. 

Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible if an evacuation order is required; however, we may not have time to go door-to-door due to changing conditions. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WHEN AN ALERT IS IN EFFECT 

Upon notification of an ALERT, you should be prepared for an evacuation order:

·        Have a plan to transport all family members or co-workers outside of the area, should the area be brought under evacuation order.

·        Make grab-and-go bags for each member of your household to keep essential items readily available for a quick departure. Pack clothing, ready-to-eat food, toiletries, 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. Gather comfort items (blankets, stuffed animals, etc.) for your dependents to make an evacuation less stressful. Gather any kennels or leashes to make transportation safe with your pets. 

·        Move pets and livestock to a safe area if they cannot be evacuated. Ensure water and feed are available.

·        Keep the fuel tanks of personal vehicles full in case a new order is issued.

·        Ensure that you have accommodation options for your family, if possible. An Evacuee Reception Centre will be made available if required. Homeowner or tenant insurance may provide greater support than ESS will be able to.

·        In the event you are evacuated, do not shut off your natural gas. For more information, visit fortisbc.com/forestfires.

·        Monitor reliable news sources for information on evacuation orders and locations of Reception Centres and the CRD’s channels on Facebook and cariboord.ca. 

·        If you are on an evacuation ALERT, or if you have been displaced from your home due to an emergency, please self-register for Emergency Support Services. You will need to sign up for the BC Services Card app to access the self-registration tool, which will reduce wait times for evacuees and assist in the referral process. https://ess.gov.bc.ca/ 

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

For Cariboo Regional District information, please visit Cariboo Regional District's website or Emergency Operations Centre Facebook page or call CRD 1-866-759-4977 or TNG 1-250-392-0735.

Cariboo-Chilcotin First Nations receive funding to transition to Clean Energy Generation

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Cariboo-Chilcotin First Nations communities will receive provincial funding as part of a $7.1 million envelope to develop alternative-energy projects and advance energy efficiency through the Province’s Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) program, a CleanBC initiative.

“Our CleanBC goal is to reduce diesel consumption for power generation in remote communities by 80% by 2030,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “By building partnerships and creating opportunities with Indigenous communities and businesses, we can help people living in B.C.’s hardest-to-reach communities save money, become less dependent on fossil fuels and benefit from cleaner air and water.”

The energy projects range in size and scope, from $350,000 for the construction of a biomass combined heat-and-power system for the Lhoozk'uz Dene Nation (Quesnel area), to $2 million to develop and build a two-megawatt solar farm on Haida Gwaii's northern grid that will include battery storage.

The $29-million, three-year CEDR program aims to reduce remote communities’ reliance on diesel fuel, and to support projects focused on energy efficiency and/or those that provide clean, reliable energy year round in areas not serviced by grid electricity. CEDR is part of the Province’s Remote Community Energy Strategy.

British Columbia has 44 remote communities, most of which are governed by First Nations. Many of these communities are served by BC Hydro in non-grid integrated areas. Some First Nations own and operate their own diesel generators. In 2019, the remote communities consumed at least 19.1 million litres of diesel, emitting the equivalent of 51,784 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The CEDR program provides funding for clean-energy initiatives to eligible remote communities that are off-grid residential regions that rely on diesel fuel for electricity generation. Remote communities can apply to three funding streams to support them as they progress through various stages of their planning and implementation of their decarbonization projects. This will help to ensure remote communities have financial supports throughout the life cycle of their energy projects, whether it be at the beginning, early, mid or late stages of planning, or implementation of their decarbonization projects.

To deliver the CEDR program, the Province has partnered with the New Relationship Trust to facilitate investments with remote communities for community energy planning, energy-efficiency projects, and renewable-energy infrastructure. In addition, Coast Funds is working with the trust to support applications from First Nations with communities in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii that rely on diesel to meet their electricity needs.

A second round of CEDR program funding will be announced shortly, and applicants are encouraged to connect with the New Relationship Trust and Coast Funds for more details and assistance. Coast Funds and the trust work with all eligible First Nations and remote communities to develop strong proposals that maximize access to CEDR program funding.

CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. It supports government’s commitment to climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets and build a cleaner, stronger economy.

Backgrounders

Facts about the Community Energy Diesel Reduction program

In 2022, with the first round of Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) program funding, $7.1 million was awarded to 12 remote communities.

• The CEDR program is now seeking applicants for a second round of funding.

The New Relationship Trust is an independent organization established by the New Relationship Trust Act (2006).

• It is dedicated to delivering grant programs to First Nations throughout B.C., and working with governments and organizations to leverage funding sources that build First Nations’ capacity toward self-determination and improved environmental, governmental, social and economic outcomes.

Coast Funds is an Indigenous-led conservation finance organization supporting First Nations’ investments in community well-being and ecological integrity in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii.

• Founded in 2007 with $118 million in contributions from foundations and Crown governments, Coast Funds has approved $107.7 million toward 434 stewardship, renewable energy and economic development projects.

2022 Community Energy Diesel Reduction projects

Dease River First Nation - $95,000
Funding to develop a Community Energy Plan, including identifying renewable energy generation opportunities and load forecast modelling.

Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation - $40,000
Funding to update Community Energy Plan, including community engagement, demand-side management analysis and identifying renewable energy-generation opportunities.         

Old Massett Village Council - $40,000
Funding to update Community Energy Plan, including community engagement and demand-side management analysis.

Heiltsuk Economic Development Corporation - $300,000
Funding to perform energy audits on 300 homes in Bella Bella to develop a plan for the implementation of shallow and deep building retrofits.  

Nuxalk Nation - $300,000
Funding to perform energy audits on residences to develop a plan for the implementation of shallow and deep building retrofits.          

Xeni Gwet’in First Nation - $100,000
Funding to perform energy audits on residences to plan for the implementation of shallow and deep building retrofits with a focus on heat pumps.           

Gitga'at First Nation - $2,000,000
Funding for pre-construction and construction activities for a run-of-lake 948-kilowatt hydroelectric generation facility.  This project aims to reduce 95% of diesel usage for electricity generation.          

Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation - $962,400
Funding for activities to upgrade, repair or replace infrastructure for the community’s electricity distribution grid.    

Lhoozk'uz Dene Nation - $350,000
Funding for the construction of a biomass combined heat and power system. The project is expected to displace up to 90% of the community's diesel consumption.       

Skidegate Band Council - $2,000,000
Skidegate Band Council, Old Massett Village Council and Council of the Haida Nation have partnered to form Tll Yahda Energy LP, which will develop and construct a two-megawatt Solar Farm on Haida Gwaii's northern grid and will include battery storage. The project is expected to displace almost 9% of the north grid’s diesel consumption.

Uchucklesaht Tribe Government - $224,475
Funding for the installation of 25-kilowatt of Solar photovoltaic (PV) and storage for a new wellness centre. The project is designed to offset demand on the diesel generating system as buildings and infrastructure in the remote community grow.

Ulkatcho First Nation - $765,800
Funding for pre-construction activities for a proposed 4.4-megawatt solar PV plant and energy-storage facility that is expected to displace as much as 70% of community diesel consumption.

Wildfire Reduction Grants awarded in Cariboo Fire Centre region!

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- the following Local or Indigenous Governments of the Cariboo-Chilcotin are receiving wildfire reduction grants and congratulations to these Governments:

* City of Quesnel -- $56,900 to assist with education, FireSmart activities in residential areas

* City of Williams Lake -- $386,995 to assist with education, planning, development considerations, interagency co-operation, fuel management, FireSmart activities in residential areas and critical infrastructure

* Xeni Gwet'in First Nation -- $143,635 to assist with education, planning, interagency co-operation, emergency planning, cross-training, fuel management, FireSmart activities for critical infrastructure

The B.C. government has provided more than $696,000 in grants to four local governments and one First Nation in the Cariboo Fire Centre to support wildfire-risk-reduction initiatives and help keep communities safe.

These Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) grants are part of more than $13 million provided to 107 recipients throughout B.C. following the latest application intake in the program’s FireSmart Community Funding and Supports category.

“Last year’s devastating fire season highlighted the importance of implementing FireSmart activities around B.C. communities and, as we saw in Logan Lake, it can make a big difference,” said the Hon. Katrine Conroy, BC's Minister of Forests. “In Budget 2022, our government committed $90 million in community grants to complete FireSmart initiatives and fuel-management activities that will help safeguard homes and communities from wildfire threats.”

The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports category of the CRI program helps fund FireSmart-related initiatives, including priority fuel-management projects on provincial Crown land and private land. First Nations and local governments can use the money to complete wildfire-risk-reduction and prevention activities, including those on public, reserve and private land.

“The last wildfire season was devastating for many communities throughout our province,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “By providing funding to local governments and First Nations in the Cariboo Fire Centre, we’re making sure communities are better prepared to reduce and respond to wildfire threats.”

The Union of BC Municipalities administers the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program. It processes grant applications in partnership with the Ministry of Forests and the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of British Columbia. Eligible applicants facing lower wildfire risk can apply for as much as $50,000, while applicants facing demonstrated higher wildfire risk can apply for as much as $150,000. Communities can apply for funding to cover as much as 100% of the cost of their wildfire-risk-reduction projects.

Mitigating wildfire threats is a shared responsibility of the provincial government, local governments, First Nations, industry, stakeholders and individual British Columbians. The CRI program helps increase community resiliency by funding activities that promote FireSmart education, planning and opportunities for partnerships through regional FireSmart committees.

Learn More:

Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/funding-for-wildfire-prevention/crip

Information about CRI grants is available on the Union of BC Municipalities website at:
https://www.ubcm.ca/funding-programs/local-government-program-services/community-resiliency-investment

Read more about the FireSmart program and the seven FireSmart disciplines at: https://firesmartbc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Backgrounders

FireSmart Community Funding and Supports grants in Cariboo Fire Centre 2022

The B.C. government is providing $13,047,561 through the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports category of the Community Resiliency Investment program for 107 wildfire-risk-mitigation projects throughout British Columbia.

The approved applications within the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction are below.

Cariboo Fire Centre ($696,475 for 5 grants):

• Ashcroft Indian Band: $38,945 to assist with education, development considerations, interagency co-operation, FireSmart activities for residential areas
• City of Quesnel: $56,900 to assist with education, FireSmart activities in residential areas
• City of Williams Lake: $386,995 to assist with education, planning, development considerations, interagency co-operation, fuel management, FireSmart activities in residential areas and critical infrastructure
• Village of Clinton: $70,000 to assist with education, planning
• Xeni Gwet'in First Nations: $143,635 to assist with education, planning, interagency co-operation, emergency planning, cross-training, fuel management, FireSmart activities for critical infrastructure