KFR promotes preparation over panic

“Certainly looking at what sort of resources are available throughout the province, and establishing a communication plan,” Adams said, “looking at what that would be should areas need to be evacuated and what we do with evacuees. Not that dissimilar to what’s happening in other areas of the province. Just trying to be prepared.”

Part of the preparation includes constant communication with the BC Wildfire Service, which has been able to provide up to date information on how close the Elephant Hill wildfire is, and which direction it is moving.

“The Elephant Hill fire is still a significant distance away from Kamloops,” said Fire Information Officer Max Birkener. “We just want to remind people that, you know … if it’s traveling in any direction, it’s more going towards the northeast, so really not in the direction of Kamloops at all.”

However, the Elephant Hill fire isn’t the only concern for Kamloops. KFR has been called to numerous brush fires around the city during this extremely volatile season, and the fire danger rating remains high to extreme.

“We don’t want the public to feel a false sense of security that we had some cooler weather and some rain in the area,” Adams said. “We know that conditions can change rapidly and they have they’re escalating now into the high to extreme, so we ask the people to remain diligent, and practice the FireSmart.”

That means clearing out properties of debris and combustables, and disposing of smoking materials properly.

Property owners should also ensure they have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

“We can’t do it alone,” Adams said. “We need the cooperation of the city, the people, and the public to ensure they respect the park closures, dispose of the burning materials properly, make sure that their personal properties are clean and fire safe, and I think working together we’ll be able to get through this fire season.”

by Jill Sperling

KFR promotes preparation over panic

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