Evacuation Stages and Forms

If you are on an evacuation alert or order, please register with BC Emergency Support Services (ESS) in the following ways:

- Online,
- In-person at the designated evacuee reception centre,
- By calling Service BC at 1-800-387-4258 (for help with the online registration).

Registering before you arrive at the reception centre will help streamline the process.

For current information regarding emergencies within British Columbia, please visit Emergency Info BC.

Evacuation Stages

If your home is at risk from a wildfire or flood, you may receive an Evacuation Alert or Order. The type of notification you receive indicates a different level of urgency.

This type of evacuation means there is an immediate threat to the life and safety of individuals. An emergency of this sort does not allow for any warnings or time to prepare to evacuate. You must:
- Leave IMMEDIATELY.
- Gather your family and, if you have room, take a neighbour or someone needing transportation. Do not use more vehicles than you have to.
- Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately available. Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
- Shut off all propane, gas and electric appliances (other than refrigerators and freezers). In case of a flood, shut off main electrical breaker.
- Close all windows and doors. Pull back curtains.
An Evacuation Alert provides you with advance notice of danger in your area and the possibility of an upcoming evacuation. Residents are given as much advance notice as possible. An alert is a warning that you may need to leave your home on short notice. This is the time to gather your important documents and keepsakes and prepare yourself with several days of clothing, toiletries, and medication. Organise yourself so, in the case of an Evacuation Order, you can leave within 15 minutes.

You do not need to leave when an alert is issued, but you need to get ready.

I’ve been placed on an Evacuation Alert. What do I do?
- Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area should an Evacuation Order be called while you are separated.
- Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g. insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependents, and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure.
- Please make sure you have a means of communication and important phone numbers.
- Prepare to move persons with disabilities, children, and neighbours, if assistance is needed.
- Please prepare to take pets and their food with you and move livestock to a safe area.
- Arrange transportation for all your household members. Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.
- If possible, arrange accommodation for all members of the residence. If you have an RV, consider utilizing it.
- You do not need to evacuate unless an Evacuation Order is issued. Early Evacuation before an Order is placed will not be eligible for Emergency Support Services. Persons with disabilities can receive assistance for early evacuation if required. Please reach out to your local jurisdiction for details.
- Monitor the news, radio, and online sources for information on evacuation orders and the location of Reception Centres.
An Evacuation Order will only be issued if there is imminent potential for loss of life or injury. If an Evacuation Order is issued we encourage residents to follow these recommendations for their own safety.

When an order is issued you must leave immediately.

I’ve been placed on an Evacuation Order. What do I do?
- You must leave IMMEDIATELY.
- Shut off all water and electric appliances (other than refrigerators and freezers). In case of a flood shut off main electrical breaker.
- Close all windows and doors. Pull back curtains.
- Close gates (latch) - but do not lock.
- Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately available. Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
- Gather your family and, if you have room, take a neighbour or someone needing transportation. Do not use more vehicles than you have to.
- Do not use the telephone unless you need emergency services.
- Follow the evacuation route provided with the order
- Once you are evacuated, register as an evacuee online at https://ess.gov.bc.ca or at the designated Reception Centre indicated with the order.
If you receive an evacuation order, you may want to stay and protect your property instead of leaving your home.

Keep in mind:
- The route you planned on taking may become impassible.
- Services you rely on, such as water and electricity may not be available.
- Help may not be unavailable if it poses a high risk to the responder's safety or if access is blocked.
Evacuation orders are issued for the safety of residents and with the best interests of firefighters in mind. Choosing to remain in an area that is under an Evacuation Order puts yourself, your family, and your first responders in danger.

Forms

Use this form to register for evacuation exemption for individuals working in a dairy farm located in Electoral Areas within RDNO boundaries. Click here to see which electoral area your farm is in. Please note, this form is specific to each individual and must be completed per person.

Farmers Evacuation Order Exemption Registry Form

You will receive confirmation once you are added to the registry.