Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfires are common from summer to early fall and can pose a direct threat to the territory and lives and property of community members.

Due to poor air quality, wildfires can exacerbate respiratory conditions, and these events can disrupt traditional land use practices. Moreover, they can have lasting psychological and emotional impacts.1

In preparation for a wildfire, you can do the following:

Have an emergency plan in place.

Monitor the weather and regularly look up updates from local authorities.

Familiarize yourself with evacuation instructions, and prepare a grab-and-go bag containing items such as:

Six litres of drinking water per person (two litres per person per day for a minimum of three days)
Food
Cell phone, chargers and batteries
Flashlight with extra batteries
Copies of important documents such as status cards, health cards, and phone numbers of family members.
Change of clothes (2-3 sets per person)
Basic first-aid kit (1 per family)
Medications
Personal items (soap, toothbrush)

Here are additional tips for wildfire preparedness for individuals with existing health conditions and the elderly:

Ensure that there is enough medication to last through the potential evacuation period.

Establish a communication plan with family members, neighbours, and healthcare providers to ensure that everyone can stay connected at all times. Emergency contact information must be easily accessible.