With the two-year anniversary of the Juniper East wildfire nearly upon us, Kamloops Fire Rescue says preparations are underway for a mock evacuation of the community in the next few weeks.

Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc says the goal is to give Juniper Ridge residents first-hand access to the escape routes, while also testing traffic management plans that have been drawn up.

“We will be looking to open up the evacuation routes so that we can escort people so they can see the route, see how the route flows, where it comes out, and if there is a need to evacuate, not be the first time they have the opportunity to do it,” Uzeloc told Radio NL Friday, noting the KFR on those safety plans with the City and the RCMP

The fire in Juniper on Canada Day in 2021 didn’t destroy any properties, but saw those trying to flee the flames trapped in their vehicles on Highland Road due to a lack of available escape routes.

“We’ve learned that we need to open up the routes from the bottom up because we know there is going to be a backlog of people once that notice to evacuate and which route to evacuate on is given,” Uzeloc added.

“We would open the routes from the bottom, get up there and pre-position staff to be able to make sure that the right roads are going to be taken and nobody is going to take the wrong turn or access and then we would have vehicles that would escort the evacuees down the route.”

There are currently three emergency egress routes out of Juniper Ridge – though Juniper East, on Galore Drive, and along Coldwater Drive – with another permanent route connecting Qu’Appelle Boulevard and Rose Hill Road set to be finished by 2025.

You’ll find more details and a map of the four additional exits here.