Community Update – Downton Lake to Carpenter Lake areas August 23, 2023

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Reduced visibility will continue to impact aerial operations for BC Wildfire Service. Relative humidities remain low, recovering to around 50% overnight, with max temperatures of 21- 25 C today and cooler temperatures into Wednesday through Friday. Thursday will see drying conditions across our region, continuing into Friday and the weekend.

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

View today's SLRD Community Update Video.

Downton Lake wildfire is estimated to be 7,410 hectares (though heavy smoke has limited an ability to gauge size accurately). Ground crews are working on guard construction south of Gun Creek Road and along the north side of Gun Creek. As of Tuesday – helicopters were able to provide bucket support on the eastern flanks of the wildfire.

Casper Creek wildfire is estimated to be 10,604 hectares and remains active in areas around Mission Mountain Road and the west side of Tsee Creek above Shalalth. Crews continue to work on a contingency guard around Shalalth – implementing water delivery and removing dangerous trees along the guard. Personnel are also working to protect BC Hydro infrastructure in the immediate vicinity. Structure protection is ongoing in the Evacuation Order area in Tsal’alh.

Latest updates from BC Wildfire Service:

The South Chilcotin Mountains Park and Rec Sites and Trails remain closed.

Returning Home Guide

SLRD has created this guide to help property owners prepare ahead of re-entry, as well as during and after. While you wait for access, there are steps within the guide which will help get you started.

You will find the guide on our Emergency Operations page: www.SLRD.bc.ca/EOC

Emergency Support Services (ESS)

Even if you do not have immediate needs, we recommend everyone on evacuation register for ESS. ESS provides short-term basic support to people impacted by disasters. The ESS program is financed by the provincial government and administered by local governments.

Why registering helps?

  • It will help when claiming insurance
  • Get support with emergency clothing, food vouchers and accommodations
  • Other resources which could be useful now or in the future

Where to register or request assistance:

  • Online registration: https://ess.gov.bc.ca
  • Canadian Red Cross 24/7 Disaster Assistance Line: 1-888-800-6493
  • In-person registration: 

    Lillooet & District Rec Centre
    930 Main Street – Room 101, Lillooet BC V0K 1V0
    Open: 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm Saturday, closed Sunday
    During and outside of these hours call: 1-250-256-8524

ESS relies on volunteers to coordinate support services for people forced from their homes in an emergency. Interested in volunteering to help, visit Emergency Support Services Volunteers.

Re-Entry

  • We are in the early days of assessing and understanding the impact of the wildfires to our region.
  • Current fire activity is going to delay this for several weeks based on the latest information from BC Wildfire. Both Casper Creek and Downton Lake fires are active causing challenges to road access, utilities and communications for the region.
  • Like you, we want to move towards re-entry and recovery. Until fire activity allows for safe entry, we encourage residents to formulate their plan on what will come when re-entry is possible.

Structure Losses

We have been advised by BC Wildfire Service that there has been impact to structures along the north-west side of Gun Lake. The SLRD will be conducting rapid damage assessments and as soon as it’s safe to do so will release this information to those affected. Both the BC Wildfire Service and the SLRD are working to ensure this happens as quickly as possible.

We will continue to update residents as we work through this process. We know it is difficult waiting and ask for continued patience as we work to identify and assess the properties damaged and it may take some time.

The steps ahead for identifying structure loss include:

  • Step 1: Get clearance to enter affected area from BC Wildfire Services.
    The SLRD Emergency Operations Centre has been given clearance.
  • Step 2: Have qualified staff complete Rapid Damage Assessments (RDA's).
    These began August 22 but the team had to evacuate due to wildfire activity and will return when it’s safe. This step 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.

Insurance

While on evacuation alert or order - begin the process of contacting your insurance and familiarizing yourself with the steps you may need to take next. The SLRD has also created a Returning Home Guide which includes steps property owners can begin prior to gaining access.

Learn more from the Insurance Bureau of Canada

Privacy and your personal information

Personal information collected, used, disclosed and retained by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District for emergency purposes is done so under the authority of the FOIPP Act (section 26). Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected or for a use consistent with that purpose unless you expressly consent otherwise. We do not disclose your information to other public bodies or individuals except as authorized by the FOIPP Act.

The following information was included in previous updates, although links to wildfire update will contain new information.

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.

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 1-326-999-2945.

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

Ways to stay informed

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