On behalf of: Island Health
SITUATION:
- The Mount Underwood wildfire continues to be held near Port Alberni. For more information please visit B.C. Wildfire Service.
- The Wesley Ridge wildfire on the north shore of Cameron Lake is under control. (Source: B.C. Wildfire Service)
Island Health and HEMBC are communicating regularly with leaders and coordinating with provincial and local agencies as needed.
Get answers to your employee-related questions in our Q&A for Wildfires, Floods & Natural Disasters.
HEALTH ALERTS:
August 26
- Currently there are no Air Quality Warnings in place. Check the Air Quality Health Index forthe most current information and visit our Wildfires page to learn how to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke.
- Find support for patients with wildfire smoke inhalation.
- Please note and share: Patients can visit a pharmacy instead of an urgent care facility to refill their respiratory medication.
TRANSPORTATION & ROAD CONDITIONS:
Highway 4 remains open to all vehicles. Drivers should exercise caution as smoke reduces visibility. Please notify your supervisor if you experience any highway-related changes or access issues. Allow extra time for travel in the area along Highway 4. While driving in smoky conditions, keep your headlights and taillights on, close your windows, and use the recirculation setting on the air conditioning.
- Continue to monitor DriveBC
- Current Road Advisories (TranBC)
EVACUATIONS:
New: August 20
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), in coordination with BC Wildfire Service, the City of Port Alberni, and Tseshaht First Nation, downgraded and updated the Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alerts. Find current evacuation orders and alerts here.
- Read our Employee Q&A for information about evacuation, compensation, redeployment, etc.
BUILD A GRAB-AND-GO BAG:
- Build an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag (Province of BC)
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Monitor weather warnings for your area on: http://www.weather.gc.ca/.
- For facilities equipped with HVAC, keep doors and windows closed in order to support optimal air quality indoors.
- Community-based programs should remind clients to keep doors and windows closed if indoor temperatures are comfortable.
- If HVAC cannot maintain acceptable air quality, consider using portable air cleaners equipped with a HEPA filter, while observing IPAC precautions on their use.
- Check on people in your care and those around you who may be more susceptible to smoke.
- Consider building an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag: Build an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag - Province of British Columbia
EMPLOYEE Q&A: WILDFIRES, FLOODS & NATURAL DISASTERS