BC Wildfire Support

Resources

• EmergencyInfoBC - Provides up-to-date provincial emergency and disaster information.
• Financial assistance in a disaster - Provides financial assistance for uninsurable loss and damage to select small businesses and farms.
• Disaster preparation for businesses - Informs businesses and communities about economic disaster preparation strategies and resources provided by the British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA).
• Emergency management for agriculture - Provides agricultural resources to help agri-businesses prevent, prepare and recover from disasters.
• Disaster preparation for the tourism industry - Offers a range of resources, including contingency planning templates, training programs, and risk assessment tools, designed specifically to assist stakeholders in the tourism industry in British Columbia in preparing for and managing emergencies effectively. 

Downloadable guides and fill-in-the-blank plans to help you prepare for emergencies:

•  Guide for Small Businesses - This guide helps businesses prepare for an emergency or business interruption by walking through the steps of identifying risks, mitigating potential threats, planning, preparing the business, and practicing the plan.
• Emergency Plan for Small Businesses - This fillable resource is designed to help small business owners plan and prepare for emergencies.
• Guide for Tourism Operators - This guide is designed to help tourism operators plan and prepare for a disaster, ensuring that the operation will respond effectively, recover quickly, and keep guests safe.
• Emergency Plan for Tourism Operators - This fillable resource is designed to help tourism operators plan and prepare for emergencies.

For your house/personal

Home Insurance

Just like business insurance, you will want to get in touch with your home insurance provider to ensure that your house is covered for wildfire damage. This is much more common to be included in home insurance, however, it is always best to confirm. Additionally, if you have not catalogued good in your house that you would like insured (that you would not be able to bring with you in an evacuation), now is a good time to do so. Take a picture of the item and receipt (if available) and write a description.

Emergency Evacuation Plan

Wildfires can move fast. If you have kids, pets or a significant other, it is important to have an emergency evacuation plan in place, including: multiple evacuation routes planned (should one be closed), a house exit strategy, plus “ditch kits” (i.e., an overnight bag prepared in case you need to grab and run, including non-perishable foods and water). Know where you are going to go. Do you have family or friends you can stay with? Call them now to confirm so you don’t have to scramble and fight for hotel space. Having a plan in place will help you to maintain your calm and be prepared.

Mortgage

CMHC encourages homeowners to contact their financial institution at the first sign of difficulty to discuss their individual situations and options.

CMHC provides lenders with options for homeowners that may be impacted by these unfortunate events including:

• Deferral of payment
• Re-amortization of the loan, to result in lower payments
• Capitalization of outstanding interest arrears and other eligible      expenses
• Special payment arrangements
• A combination of the above

Given the circumstances, CMHC has provided lenders with added flexibility to make these special arrangements quickly. For more information, homeowners may also consult “How to Deal with Mortgage Payment Difficulties” on our website.

Pets

In some cases, pets are left behind due to not being able to find them in an emergency, or not being able to fit them. The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) is a non-profit organization that goes into at risk or affected communities and aids in the safe evacuation of your furry friends. If you will need assistance or currently need their help, please visit the link provided and contact them as soon as possible.

Trip Planning

If you are planning to drive anywhere in BC, you will want to ensure that your route is safe. Many times when wildfires flare up, roads can be closed without notice, please reference this interactive map, in real time (refreshed every 25 seconds) to see if the wildfires will affect your trip.