Wednesday July 5, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
BC Wildfire Service delivered a public media update today, in light of continued dry hot weather in BC, noting that Vancouver Island is particularly vulnerable to wildfires right now and in the coming days.
“Personal preparedness — you can never do enough of it,” said Pader Brach, Executive Director, Regional Operations, Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.
“And we really do encourage residents and people that live throughout British Columbia to really have that preparation at the front of their minds during the hazard season.” He noted flooding and wildfire as just two hazards.
The best metric as to preparedness among the population is the grab-and-go bag — whether or not you have one, said Brach. He emphasizes the importance of grab-and-go bags to include identification, insurance papers, medications, cash, and things for their pets.
When there is an evacuation and people arrive at reception centres “there’s often a variety of levels of preparedness”.
Brach continued: “Although we see some British Columbians are well prepared in that regard, there’s always room for all of us collectively to improve on that.”
He really urges people make it a priority to have a grab-and-go bag packed for themselves and their family.
“That will be the true testament to the level of preparedness both in mindset and personal preparedness as to supplies and gear that you need for a notice of evacuation that may move to an evacuation order very quickly,” said Brach.