On behalf of: Island Health
SITUATION:
- The Mount Underwood wildfire continues to be out of control near Port Alberni. For more information and an evacuation notice, 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 19
The Air Quality Warning issued on August 18 has ended.
- Check the Air Quality Health Index for your region 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. Watch for flaggers in the Port Alberni Summit area.
- Continue to monitor DriveBC
- Current Road Advisories (TranBC)
EVACUATIONS:
New: August 13
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
For emergency operational concerns, please follow your established contingency plans, as well as contacting HEMBC On-Call for assistance on 1.250.370.8575.
EMPLOYEE Q&A: WILDFIRES, FLOODS & NATURAL DISASTERS