Community Update – Downton Lake to Carpenter Lake areas

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The growth of both wildfires has continued. Extremely low visibility in the area has resulted in no air operations being possible to support ground crews. Wildfire suppression is ongoing including machine guards which are being built.

Wildfire smoke conditions may impact your health, especially if you are medically vulnerable.

Below is new information on several topics. Stay strong. Support each other. Please respect emergency and fire crews as they do their work.

See more in a video update from BC Wildfire Service: https://youtu.be/cw0C2dc0MAA  

No weather change

Above-seasonal temperatures, at times windy conditions, and weather which supports fire growth and changes in direction will continue. There is no significant rain forecast for the next week, and temperatures will go up a bit before they go down later next week.

Fires have caused significant damage

The wildfires in this area - Downton Lake Fire K71649 and Casper Creek Fire K71535 – are continuing to grow, with rapid growth at times. While fire activity has lessened, conditions are still very dangerous as the damage the fires have left behind has created new dangers including down hydro lines and debris falling on roads.

Fire activity is resulting in some areas being inaccessible at times or fully. This damage has also slowed the response of firefighters getting supplies and resources into the area.  

Latest updates from BC Wildfire Service:

Structure Losses

We have been advised by BC Wildfire Service that additional structures have been lost. Structures were lost on the west side of Gun Lake.

Together with known structure losses in the past month, the area has experienced a significant loss for many families. Our thoughts are with those impacted by the loss of property.

We will continue to update you as we work through this process. We know it is difficult waiting and ask for continued patience. Please keep in mind we have an unknown number of properties to identify and assess and it may take some time.

Step 1: Get clearance to enter affected area from BC Wildfire Services.

  • The SLRD Emergency Operations Centre is working closely with BC Wildfire Services to enter the area and complete Rapid Damage Assessments (RDA) as soon as it is safe to do so.

Step 2: Have qualified staff complete Rapid Damage Assessments.

  • This may take several days depending on the area and any hazards that may be associated with travel to and from affected properties.

Step 3: Collect the data from RDA’s and begin to identify property owners.

Step 4: Communicate with affected property owners who have lost structures, or who have damaged structures on their property.

Step 5: Broader communication with public.

In the meantime, begin the process of contacting your insurance and familiarizing yourself with the steps you may need to take next. We will also be providing a re-entry planning guide soon which will have tasks you can do while you wait for more information.

Learn more from the Insurance Bureau of Canada

Wildfire Smoke

The best way to protect your health from wildfire smoke is to reduce your exposure to smoke and seek cleaner air:

  • Stay indoors: Reduce time spent outdoors to protect your health.
  • Reduce outdoor physical activity: Refer to the Air Quality Health Index and decrease physical exertion outdoors in when air quality is poor.
  • Consider wearing a well fitted respirator if you cannot access cleaner air: Use a well fitted respirator (e.g., N95, KN95) properly to reduce exposure to particulate matter in smoke.

Learn more about actions you can take to protect yourself and your family during times of poor air quality. Learn more: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/stories/how-protect-yourself-wildfire-smoke?fbclid=IwAR1OhtwxnRm6XARf98E7D7AJG4iFdkEy4nyFx-xY1ylAHIwGMgvhpC6Deto

Conserve water

Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility - including people, businesses, and industries. Water is also needed for wildfire suppression.

Help conserve water by making small changes to your everyday life. Review the water use in your home, around your property, and at work for ways you can use less water.

The below information is identical to yesterday’s update, although links to wildfire update will contain new information.

Emergency Support Services

Even if you do not have immediate needs, we recommend you register for ESS as your registration can be useful when claiming insurance. It can provide emergency clothing, food vouchers and accommodations for your household, as well as other resources which you may find useful now or in the future.

ESS provides short-term basic support to people impacted by disasters. The program is financed by the provincial government and administered by local governments.

ESS relies on volunteers to coordinate support services for people forced from their homes in an emergency.

ESS at the Mickey McDougall Recreation Centre in North Vancouver is now closed.

Online registration: https://ess.gov.bc.ca

In-person registration:

  • Lillooet District Recreation Centre, 930 Main Street – Room 101, Lillooet, BC, V0K 1V0
  • Open 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, and Wednesday, August 23.
  • After-hours call: 250-256-8524

To learn about volunteering for ESS, see this page.

Agricultural support

Relocation of livestock for eligible farm businesses and First Nations is supported by the province during emergencies (see policy - which is not intended to address non-commercial livestock or pets.)

Relocation can commence during an evacuation alert stage.

The process provides for reimbursement of response costs invoiced from service providers for transportation, feed and housing. If you need assistance, please contact the SLRD’s Emergency Operations Agriculture Liaison, Leslie MacDonald at C2@slrd.bc.ca or mobile at 326-999-2945.

Taking care of yourself and others

Create a support network. This may include family, friends or professionals. If you are struggling, seek or accept help.

Speak with a counsellor at 1-866-585-0445 (Adults) or 1-888-668-6810 (youth) or www.wellnesstogether.ca

If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis or has suicide-related concerns, please call 1-833-456-4566 or visit talksuicide.ca - both are available 24/7. Text CONNECT to 686868.

Call 211, a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community such as basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial, support for seniors and much more.

Calling the Telus Health Community Crisis Health Line 1-844-751-2133, available 24/7. Telus Health also offers access to a physician if you cannot access yours.

See dangerous conditions? Leave immediately

At times, tactical evacuations may occur due to rapidly changing fire behaviour, which will see residents leaving due to conditions they see or emergency responders alerting people to leave immediately.

Evacuation orders and alerts require a legal process, which may happen following a tactical evacuation. While we wish to avoid that, it is determined by present conditions.

If you see dangerous conditions, do not wait for an evacuation notice, leave immediately and get to a safe location.

For current evacuations, see www.slrd.bc.ca for updates:

Loss of communications and utilities

There has been a loss of power and communications in some areas. Residents are responsible to ensure they can access information on the emergency through local contacts or finding a location where they can access the internet to get updates.

If you see down power lines, assume they are live and keep a safe distance, and report to BC Hydro at 1-800-224-9376 or text *49376.

Road closures and getting out safely

Wildfires continue to impact roads in the area, and roads have been closed due to dangerous and unpredictable conditions. Responders in the area have noted some roads are passable one moment and extremely dangerous the next. Please respect closures and protect your safety.

  • All roads within evacuation order areas are closed to public travel.
  • Steep slopes affected by wildfire are vulnerable to rolling rocks and trees, impeding the safe passage of vehicles.

Please see www.DriveBC.ca for information about other road closures in the region.

Prepare your property

You have a responsibility to prepare your property for wildfire. Move flammable objects away from structures. Clean debris from roofs and gutters. Close your windows.

Learn more about what you can do: www.firesmartbc.ca

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