Learn · Safety
Wildfire Evacuation & Instructions
If a wildfire threatens your community, authorities issue an Evacuation Alert or Order. This guide explains exactly what each means and how to stay safe — from the first alert to returning home.
1 · Evacuation Alert vs. Evacuation Order
In British Columbia these two statuses are legally distinct and mean very different things. Know which one is in effect for your area.
A wildfire is approaching and there is a potential threat. You are not required to leave yet. Use the time to prepare — pack your grab-and-go bag, arrange transport and accommodation, make a plan for pets and livestock, and stay tuned. An alert can escalate to an order at any moment, often with little notice.
A wildfire is a threat to your safety and you must leave immediately. Leaving is not optional — staying puts you and the responders at risk. Take your bag, keys, documents, and pets, and go to the evacuation route or Reception Centre you've been told about. Do not return until an official re-entry notice.
How to tell which one is in effect: check the official evacuation notice for your area (EmergencyInfoBC, your local authority, the BCWS Incident Map) and look for the exact status — "Evacuation Alert" vs "Evacuation Order". If in doubt, treat it as an order and leave. The Detection Map shows active evacuation orders (red) and alerts (orange) as coloured polygons.
2 · First steps when an order is issued
When an Evacuation Order is issued for your area, act immediately and methodically. Do not wait, text friends, or "just check" that it's serious.
- Leave immediately. Close windows and doors, but don't lock — responders may need entry.
- Take your grab-and-go bag (see checklist below) and your essential documents and medication.
- Shut off gas and propane at the source if you can do so safely — ask your utility for instructions.
- Remove flammable items near the house only if you have time: patio furniture, propane tanks, and dry brush.
- Dress for the heat and smoke: long sleeves, long pants, sturdy shoes, a dust or N95 mask if available.
- Fill your vehicle and evacuate via the route authorities specify — never drive through smoke or flames.
- Tell someone where you are going, and check in with family or a neighbour so no one searches for you unnecessarily.
3 · Grab-and-go bag checklist
Pack this in advance so that when an Alert turns into an Order you simply pick it up and leave. A good rule of thumb: enough to be away from home for 72 hours.
Essentials
- Face masks (N95) and a small first-aid kit
- Prescription medications + a list of what you take & doses
- Phone, charger, power bank, and car charger
- ID, health card, passport, and your insurance papers
- Cash and bank/credit cards
- House and vehicle keys
- Important keepsakes — small, irreplaceable items
- Change of clothes, sturdy shoes, rain gear
- Toiletries, toothbrush, hygiene supplies
72-hour supplies & extras
- Water (2 L per person per day) and non-perishable food
- Blanket, warm layers, and a small tent or tarp
- Flashlight, extra batteries, radio or car radio
- Bucket, lighter/matches, and a pocket knife
- Pet supplies: food, water, leash, crate, medication
- Copies of important documents in a waterproof bag
- Notebook + pen, and any contact numbers
- Any baby or child supplies you may need
Keep the bag near your door or in the car. Re-stock it every spring before fire season and whenever you use something from it.
4 · Where to go
The evacuation notice will tell you where to go. Common destinations, in order of preference:
- Family or friends outside the area — always the easiest option if safe and reachable.
- A Reception Centre — a place set up by Emergency Support Services (ESS) where you can register, get a place to stay, meals, and help. Locations are listed on the official evacuation notice and EmergencyInfoBC.
- An official evacuation route — drive to the route marked on the notice; never improvise a path through an active fire.
Follow the specified route. Even if a shorter road looks clear, authorities direct traffic away from the fire and around hazards like downed power lines.
5 · Pets & livestock
- Pets: take them with you — never leave a pet behind. Put your dog in a crate and bring food, water, a leash, and any medication. If you can't take a pet, contact a local society or your vet about emergency boarding.
- Livestock: evacuate animals as early as possible during an Alert, before an Order is issued. Open gates and doors so animals can escape on their own if they must be left, and leave them access to food and water.
- Horses & large animals: arrange a trailer and destination in advance during fire season, and know the safest route.
- Some reception centres allow pets in a designated area — ask when you register.
6 · People with special needs
- Medical equipment: take powered equipment, batteries/power bank, oxygen, and a list of your health conditions and medications.
- Mobility: plan transport ahead if you use a wheelchair, walker, or rely on others. Contact your local Emergency Program if you need help to evacuate — authorities can provide assistance; don't wait until the order.
- Anyone who cannot drive: arrange a ride with family, neighbours, or transit/volunteer supports during the Alert phase.
- Carers & children: bring essential care items, formula, diapers, and a comfort item for kids. Keep emergency contact numbers written down in case phones die.
- Speak up when you register: tell ESS or Reception Centre staff about any medical, mobility, or dietary needs so they can support you.
7 · Registering & support
- Register at the Reception Centre (or online via Emergency Support Services) as soon as you arrive. Registration lets authorities confirm you are safe and connects you to food, lodging, and clothing help.
- If you self-evacuate to friends or family, still register as "self-placed" so responders know you're safe and can contact you with re-entry information.
- Financial support (e.g. provincial disaster financial assistance) is handled through official channels — ask ESS staff, don't rely on unofficial offers by phone or text.
- Keep your registration details updated if you move during your stay away.
8 · Staying informed
During an evacuation the situation can change hour by hour. Rely on official channels only.
- EmergencyInfoBC — the provincial source for official evacuation notices and re-entry orders.
- BC Wildfire Service incident map & @BCGovFireInfo for fire updates.
- Local authority (city/regional district) websites, social media, and local radio for area-specific information.
- AlertReady — sign up for emergency alerts in your region to get notified directly.
- Consolidate one key contact and check in with them so friends and family don't panic or search for you.
9 · If you cannot evacuate
If you are trapped and cannot leave safely, protecting yourself is the priority:
- Call 911 and give your exact location if you can.
- Move to an area clear of fuels — a large clearing, parking lot, green irrigated field, or a body of water.
- Get indoors if possible, close all windows/doors, and shield yourself from radiant heat.
- Do not shelter in a vehicle in the path of the fire — heat and smoke can overcome you quickly. If you must stay in a vehicle, park away from fuels, keep the engine off, keep windows up, and seek a fire shelter if you have one.
- Cover your face with a damp cloth and protect exposed skin.
- Stay near water and be aware of fire's direction of travel — move perpendicular (sideways) to it, never downwind in front of it.
This is a last resort. Neighbourhoods with strong fire-risk awareness and early evacuation are always the safest choice.
Authoritative sources
This guide summarises standard guidance for wildfire evacuations in British Columbia. Always follow the instructions of your local Emergency Program, the BC Wildfire Service, and EmergencyInfoBC, which are the issuing authorities for any evacuation order in effect. For the live status of an active evacuation near you, see the Detection Map's evacuation layers or your evacuation notice.
Last reviewed before the 2026 fire season. Emergency procedures can change — verify against the official sources above.
When Seconds Count: A Quick Reference
If you only have time to read one thing: know your alert level, pack a go-bag now, and follow the route on the official notice — never improvise.
The five sections above cover what to do before, during, and after an evacuation. Bookmark this page on your phone; load it before fire season so it works even when cell networks are congested. Share the link with neighbours and seasonal workers — preparedness scales with the number of people who act early.