First Nations Impacts Summary Report (Aug. 3, 2022)
PROVINCIAL OVERVIEW:
Last weeks’ heat wave brought temperatures 5-15 degrees above seasonal norms to much of the Province. The heat, plus an uptick in dry lightning saw many fires start and exacerbated fires already burning. Fires are now directly impacting three (3) First Nations, with numerous additional communities monitoring for potential impacts. During the heat warning, Friendship Centres and First Nation communities opened cooling centres and a representative from the Health Authority attended Central and SouthEast Coordination Calls to provide guidance and respond to questions. As a result of increased high-level melt during the heat, there was an increase or upgrade of river levels, however there are no reports of flood waters affecting communities at this time.
WILDFIRES AFFECTING FIRST NATIONS:
Nohomin: 3700+ hectares. Burning away from community. Impacting Lytton First Nation (alert). IMT in place
Maria Creek: 1000+ hectares. 6km NE of Pavilion.
Keremeos Creek: 2700+ hectares. Impacting Lower Similkameen (order), Penticton (alert), and Upper Similkameen (area restriction). IMT and Camp at Oliver Airport in place. Some road closures required at times.
View Summary Report -updated Aug.3.2022 PDF
First Nations' Emergency Services Society
FNESS Emergency Contacts:
(Emergencies are determined to be events that cannot be handled at the community response level)
Wayne Schnitzler, Interim Executive Director, 250-318-8278
Dean Colthorp, Manager Emergency Services Department, 604-838-5711
Larry Price, Manager Forest Fuel Management Department, 250-320-8580
If leaving a message, please provide your name, phone number, email address, community name and emergency concern.
Emergency Contacts listed here gives access to key FNESS individuals who can assist communities with emergency concerns or events. Please see the FNESS department contact lists for dealing with daily operations or business concerns.
Get Prepared!
Have you been instructed to self-register for Emergency Support Services?
If you are on an evacuation ALERT or ORDER, or if you have been displaced from your home due to an emergency AND your Local Emergency Program has instructed you to Self-Register, you can do so here: https://ess.gov.bc.ca
Disaster Financial Assistance
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is now available for local governments and First Nations in regions that may have been impacted by the wildfires that started June 16, 2021.
DFA is available to help community authorities cover disaster-related losses that are not covered by insurance, such as wildfire damage to public infrastructure – including roads, bridges and other publicly owned infrastructure.
Individuals who have been impacted by wildfires are encouraged to contact their insurance representative. Standard home and business insurance policies cover fire damage and additional living expenses – for things like food, shelter and clothing – if residents need to leave their homes because of a mandatory evacuation order issued by civil authorities.
More information about DFA can be found online
Canadian Red Cross: Help Desk for Indigenous Leadership
The Canadian Red Cross, with funding from Indigenous Services Canada / First Nations Inuit Health Branch, has launched a Help Desk resource for Indigenous Community Leadership. The Help Desk is launched in coordination with other Indigenous help desks, such as First Nations Health Managers Association’s InfoPoint.
To access supports, evacuated British Columbians need to register with the Red Cross by calling 1 800 863-6582, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time).
Red Cross Information Sheet pdf
Canadian Red Cross website
Family Reunification line at 1-800-863-6582
Information Resources:
- Indigenous communities emergency operations
- Emergency Map BC
- PreparedBC guide library
- DriveBC
- EmergencyInfoBC (wildfires, flooding, landslides, COVID-19, etc.)
- What happens during a flood
- Make your emergency plan
- Flood warning and advisory notifications
- Evacuation Operational Guide
- Weather maps
- Disaster Financial Assistance
- Evacuee registration & assistance (ERA)
- Resources for farms/livestock producers
- Public Weather Alerts for British Columbia website
- BC weather maps here
- Evacuation Operational Guidelines document
BC SPCA
Any pet guardian needing emergency boarding or other assistance is asked to call the BC SPCA Call Centre at 1-855-622-7722 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. After hours please contact your closest ESS at 1.800.585.9559.
FARM: Any agriculture producer who is impacted by flooding should contact their local authority or First Nation for the geographic area they reside in- 911 or local EOC
Indigenous Services Canada Duty Officer or call 604-209-9709 for extended supports available to communities
EMBC Community Recovery contact Matthew Schraeder 250-896-3091
Virtual BC First Nations Emergency Management Forum
This event was held in October 2021 to discuss national and regional emergency management strategies with other emergency management professionals and with experts in the field. The two-day forum was focused on legislation, policy development, emergency management concerns, lessons learned, training and development, policy issues, and government to government relations. Attendees were given the opportunity to hear, first-hand, the latest on issues that impact their nations’ and agencies' programs.
WHO: All BC Chiefs and First Nations Emergency Management professionals
For more information please contact, Cecile Brass, Emergency Management MOU Coordinator, FNLC @ cbrass@fns.bc.ca or (604) 314-8228
BC First Nations Emergency Management Forum Event held October 20, 2021
BC First Nations Emergency Management Forum Event held October 21, 2021