The Watching Creek Fire as seen from the Peterson Creek Bridge on August 1. (Photo via Alex Viventi)
The City of Kamloops has activated its Emergency Operations Centre as more and more wildfires begin to pop up in the area.
It says it is working with Kamloops Fire and Rescue and the BC Wildfire Service to monitor nearby wildfires and wildfire conditions.
The biggest concern is the Watching Creek Wildfire, northwest of City limits, but Emergency Preparedness Manager, Will Beatty, says at this time, there are no immediate threats to the City of Kamloops.
“Any response initiatives, obviously BC Wildfire Service is the one that will comment on that,” he told NL News. “We are just currently at this time providing logistical support to BC Wildfire Service. We don’t have any structural fire people on the fire itself.”
“Our main responsibility remains to the residents of this City of Kamloops. We will offer support in situations of need and that is at the request of the BC Wildfire Service and currently I’m not aware of any.”
Beatty says if the City of Kamloops needs to issue an Evacuation Alert or Order, those alerts will be sent though the Voyent Alert app and through text, email, or voice calls.
It is why he’s urging people to register for Voyent Alert if they haven’t done so already, and to ensure they have an Emergency Plan and a grab-and-go bags ready, in case they have to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
“Residents can do their part to keep their families safe by knowing what to do before, during, and after a wildfire,” Beatty added. “Now is the time to get familiar with the Voyent Alert app, to make sure you have pins in the correct locations, and to get all other evacuation preparations in order.”
“It is also important to help prevent wildfires by camping responsibly and ensuring all cigarette butts are properly extinguished. Nearly half of all wildfires in B.C. are caused by human carelessness.”
As of noon Thursday, August 4th, a campfire ban will be in place throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.
People are being urged to report a wildfire or irresponsible behavior that could start a wildfire by calling 1-800-663-5555 or (*5555 from a cell phone). They can also report a wildfire directly through the BC Wildfire App, available for Apple and Android devices.
