Be Prepared for Emergencies

For information involving the McDougall Creek wildfire:

• Visit the Central Okanagan Regional District (CORD)'s webpage
• Follow CORD on Twitter
• Follow the BC Wildfire Service on Twitter and the BC Wildfire Service webpage
• Facebook (@BCForestFireInfo)
• X (formerly Twitter) (@BCGovFireInfo)
• Listen to the radio for updates

For information involving the Crater Creek wildfire: 

• View the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen -  RDOS webpage
• Follow the RDOS on Twitter and Facebook 
• Follow BC Wildfire Service on Twitter and the BC Wildfire Service webpage
• Facebook (@BCForestFireInfo)
• X (formerly Twitter) (@BCGovFireInfo)
• Listen to the radio for updates

In Penticton

There are no active fires in Penticton right now.  However, the Province has issued a ban on non-essential travel to the region to ensure accommodation is available for critical-response personnel and people in surrounding cities evacuated due to wildfires.  For real-time conditions, view our Webcams page. 

• Subscribe for email or text updates from the City of Penticton
• X (formerly Twitter): @cityofpenticton or @pentictonfire
• Follow the City of Penticton on Facebook: City of Penticton – Municipality
• Download the City of Penticton app for updates straight to your cellphone (available from Google Play or the App Store)
• For flight arrival and departure information, visit the Penticton Airport website or follow on Facebook and X

• Frequently asked questions: Smoky Skies
• BC Air Quality Health Index for your area
• BC Centre for Disease Control – wildfire smoke and its health impacts
• BC Centre for Disease Control – wildfires and COVID-19
• HealthLinkBC – particulate matter and outdoor air pollution
• FireWork – daily smoke forecast maps

There are currently no wildfires within the City of Penticton. However, the Province has issued a ban on non-essential travel to the region to ensure accommodation is available for critical-response personnel and people in surrounding cities evacuated due to wildfires. 

The following resources provide information about fires throughout the province, air quality and other trip-planning services.

Air Quality / Smoke

• Frequently asked questions: Smoky Skies
• BC Air Quality Health Index for your area
• BC Centre for Disease Control – wildfire smoke and its health impacts
• BC Centre for Disease Control – wildfires and COVID-19
• HealthLinkBC – particulate matter and outdoor air pollution
• FireWork – daily smoke forecast maps

 
Webcams

See what real-time conditions are like in Penticton right now, keeping in mind that conditions can change frequently.

Wildfire News and Travel

• BC Wildfires
  • Interactive Wildfire Map
  • Wildfires of Note
• Okanagan Falls & Regional District: RDOS website, Emergency RDOS. Facebook and Twitter
• Emergency Services BC - latest evacuation orders
• Plan your drive with Drive BC

Aug. 18, 2023:  The City of Penticton is requesting the assistance of recreational boaters on Skaha and Okanagan Lakes.

Air tankers responding to nearby wildfires are collecting lake water to support their operations. When aircraft are approaching lake surfaces for this purpose, it is requested that boat traffic visually monitor overhead flight paths and avoid any areas where air tankers can be seen making passes over water to replenish their loads. Recreational boaters or people using other watercraft who try to get a close-up look at these aircraft present a serious safety risk for air crews and anyone else in the area.

As well, drone users are asked to keep away from the fire zones as they are also a safety threat to crews.

Update on general fire state in Penticton
There are currently no wildfires within the boundaries of Penticton. Residents are advised to exercise extra caution when undertaking activities that could trigger a fire. If you notice smoke or fire in any urban park or wildland area, call 911 or the BC Wildfire Service at *5555.

• Aug. 21, 2023: Indoor clean air options to fight smoke
• Aug. 20, 2023: EOC activated to monitor conditions
• Aug. 20, 2023: Joint Statement on Caution in Nature Areas
• Aug. 19, 2023: Statement from Mayor Bloomfield on BC Housing Evacuees
• Aug. 18, 2023: Boaters beware of fire crews

Sign up for news alerts from the City

The City has activated its Emergency Support Services team, who have opened a reception centre at Princess Margaret Secondary School (120 Green Avenue, Penticton) for evacuees.

Learn more about the ESS

Please do not bring your donations to the Emergency Reception Centres. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has compiled this list of locations to donate. 

How to donate and volunteer

While Penticton Airport remains open, heavy smoke is affecting flight arrivals and departures. Also, Kelowna Airport is facing many cancellations. Please check with your airline directly for the latest updates. Also check the following resources: 

• Penticton Airport website 
• Follow Penticton Airport Facebook and X

Here are some ways you can receive the latest updates from the City. 

• Subscribe for email or text updates from the City of Penticton
• X (formerly Twitter): @cityofpenticton or @pentictonfire
• Follow the City of Penticton on Facebook: City of Penticton – Municipality
• Download the City of Penticton app for updates straight to your cellphone (available from Google Play or the App Store)
• For flight arrival and departure information, visit the Penticton Airport website or follow on Facebook and X
• Listen to the local radio stations follow local news media 

For information involving the McDougall Creek wildfire:

• Visit the Central Okanagan Regional District (CORD)'s webpage
• Follow CORD on Twitter
• Follow the BC Wildfire Service on Twitter and the BC Wildfire Service webpage
• Facebook (@BCForestFireInfo)
• X (formerly Twitter) (@BCGovFireInfo)
• Listen to the radio for updates

For information involving the Crater Creek wildfire: 

• View the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen -  RDOS webpage
• Follow the RDOS on Twitter and Facebook 
• Follow BC Wildfire Service on Twitter and the BC Wildfire Service webpage
• Facebook (@BCForestFireInfo)
• X (formerly Twitter) (@BCGovFireInfo)
• Listen to the radio for updates

Preparation is key. By taking a few steps to ensure your home is FireSmart, risks can be avoided. Visit our Penticton FireSmart page for important tips that could save your home. Also, you can book your free home assessment from a wildfire mitigation expert. 

Here are some quick tips:

• Dead pine needles are fuel. Keep them off your roof, out of your gutters and away from the foundation of your house.
• Prune your shrubs, removing all dead branches. De-limb trees up to 2 to 3 metres from the ground. Take the green waste to a local disposal site.
• If branches are hanging over your roof, trim them back. Then clear your roof of leaf or needle litter.
• Keep your lawn mowed and watered, as fire moves quickly through dry grass and weeds.
• Store firewood at least 10 metres from your house, especially during fire season.
• If you are replacing your roof, choose a Class A or fire resistant product. Your roof is the most vulnerable part of your house in a wildfire because of its large size and its susceptibility to flying embers.

Wonder what you should pack to prepare for evacuation?  

Are you at risk of being evacuated due to wildfire? Here are some last-minute actions you can take. Also download the FireSmart evacuation checklist.

Penticton is located in a fire-prone environment. The goal of Penticton's CWPP is to strengthen and maintain our community's resilience to wildfire.

Read Penticton's CWPP

It will take you about 20 minutes to make your family emergency plan online. Before starting, you will need to think about:

• Safe exits from your home and neighbourhood (plan for two ways out of every room; do not use elevators)
• Have a meeting place to reunite with your family or roommates
• A designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable
• Contact people close-by and out-of-town
• Health and insurance information
• Places for your pet to stay
• Potential risks in your area
• Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical panel, gas valve and floor drain

Find out more at getprepared.gc.ca

Your emergency kit should be in a bag that's easy to carry, with items sufficient for the entire household for at least 72 hours. Make sure everyone in the home knows where it is kept. The kit should include the following:

• enough water to last 72 hours
• food that won’t spoil such as canned goods
• energy bars
• dried foods
• manual can opener
• flashlight
• batteries
• candles/matches
• First Aid kit
• medications
• a whistle (to attract attention, if required)
• extra keys for your house and vehicle (fully fuelled)
• a change of clothing
• toilet paper
• cash in small bills
• change (payphone if needed)
• contact information

Find out more at getprepared.gc.ca

What to Pack in Your Grab-and-Go Bag

Have copies made of birth/marriage certificates, passports, licenses, wills, land deeds and insurance. Keep a copy of them outside of the home. Put them in a safety deposit box or give them to a close friend or family member.

Keep your information current and updated. Have emergency contact information on hand. Plan for each family member to call or e-mail an out of town contact person in case of emergency, they may not be affected by the same emergency. When disaster strikes, your family may not be together. Plan how to meet or contact one another.

If children are in daycare or school, find out how they will communicate with families during an emergency. Choose a designate to pick up children if you not able to pick them up yourself.  Update contact information including parents, caregivers and designates.

While disasters and emergencies affect everyone, their impact on people with disabilities/special needs is often compounded by factors such as reliance on electrical power, elevators, accessible transportation and accessible communication – all of which can be compromised in emergency situations. Some of the tips for emergency preparedness for people with disabilities/special needs are listed below. You can find more information on Canada’s Emergency Guide.

Make sure all your emergency kit items are organized in one place, easy to find and to carry.

• Tag all of your special needs’ equipment including instructions on how to use and/or move each assistive device during an emergency.
• If there are food / drug allergies, wear a MedicAlert® bracelet.
• List all food/drug allergies and current medications (for each medication, specify the medical condition being treated, the generic name, dosage, frequency, and the name and contact information of the prescribing physician).
• If you rely on any life sustaining equipment or if you require regular attendant care, ask your network to check on you immediately if an emergency occurs and have an emergency backup plan in the event of a power outage.
• During an emergency, if your support network is unable to help, ask others for help and inform them of your special needs and how they can assist you.
• Carry a personal alarm that emits a loud noise to draw attention.
• Be aware that experiencing an emergency can be overwhelming and stress can worsen some medical conditions.
• Identify a trusted support network of at least three people to assist during an emergency. Give them keys and add their contact information to a shared emergency plan. The support network should also be advised of any health conditions or medications and shown how to operate specialized medical or mobility equipment, such as lifts, wheelchairs or scooters.

• During an emergency, you and your animal companion(s) may be on your own for several days, and your pets will be relying on you to help them through it. Preparing for your pets is just as important as preparing for the human members of your family.
• Identify “pet friendly” accommodation/resources in advance in case evacuated. Not all public shelters or hotels may take pets. Have food and water in your emergency kit. If you have large animals (horses/cows) consider removing animals from the area during an evacuation alert if issued.  

Learn more about how to prepare your pets from PreparedBC.

Home insurance can help you pay for big expenses you couldn’t afford after a disaster such as replacing your home and all your possessions after a fire. It should also include additional living expenses in the event you are temporarily unable to live in your home due to an insured loss. If you have coverage, be sure to have copies of your policies as part of your emergency kit.

For local information and updates involving flooding, visit our Flood Preparedness & Response page. 

Flooding is a common, naturally occurring event in B.C.  If you face a threatening flood situation, park vehicles away from streams and waterways, move electrical appliances to upper floors and make sure to anchor fuel supplies. Listen to local officials if you are asked to evacuate.

Here are a few things you can do to the exterior of your home:

• Enhance landscaping so water drains away from the foundation.
• Ensure water from downspouts drains away from your residence.
• Clean your gutters regularly.
• Maintain your perimeter drains regularly.
• Keep nearby storm drains clear of debris.

Source: Find out more on the Government of BC's Flooding page.  Also review their Flood Preparedness Guide for tips to prepare your home and property. 

Residents affected by an Evacuation Alert are asked to stay calm and prepare to leave their homes as required. An Evacuation Alert is intended to allow people time to prepare their identification documents, medications, change of clothes and make plans with family members so they can leave their homes quickly and safely. 

Download this helpful Wildfire Evacuation Checklist chart for last-minute steps. Important: You do not have to turn off your household electricity or air conditioning and do not turn off the gas during an alert. If you turn off the gas now, the gas company may have to reconnect it, which may take time.

Stay informed of the situation. Listen to the radio or television for information from authorities. Follow their instructions.

During an evacuation alert, you are also encouraged to  pre-register with ESS (Emergency Support Services) over their website.

Is your home FireSmart? There are some simple steps on the Fire Department's Wildfire Prevention page to help minimize risk at your home from flying debris and embers.

Get prepared to leave your home on short notice. Get your 72 Hour Emergency Kit ready. Visit the Emergency Preparedness page for a list of steps to ensure you will be ready to leave if needed at a moment's notice. 

If an evacuation order is given, residents must:

• Leave the area immediately.
• Follow the directions of emergency responders and travel the designated or safest route available. 
• Self-register as an evacuee with Emergency Support Services (ESS) by visiting https://ess.gov.bc.ca/.  If you do not have access to the Internet, go to 199 Ellis Street, Penticton, BC.
• Shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers. Technical Safety BC offers some great tips involving what to do with your electrical and gas.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Please store your Fire Arms in accordance with Section 118 of the Fire Arms Act.
• Close gates (latch) but do not lock.
• Gather your family and if you have room, take a neighbour or someone needing transportation. Do not use more vehicles then you have to.
• Take critical items only if they are immediately available:
  • Government issued ID
  • Medications
  • Eyeglasses
  • Valuable papers (e.g. insurance, credit, and mortgage information)
  • Immediate care needs for dependents
• Take pets in pet kennels or on a leash.
  • Pet owners and hobby farmers with concerns for their animals: Contact Animal Emergency Response Team (ALERT) at 250-809-7152.
• Farmers who require assistance call the RDOS EOC.
• Do not use the telephone unless you need emergency service.

People who are evacuated from their homes in an emergency may be directed to an Emergency Reception Centre. What should you expect there?

• Information about the emergency
• Assistance with basic needs
• Recovery planning from the disaster or evacuation

For more information, visit the City’s Emergency Updates page.