Whereas wildfire events are increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration, and local governments and the BC Wildfire Service are required to implement an efficient, effective, and coordinated approach to address the demand for persons, equipment, and supplies requiring entry into an evacuation order area; And whereas the BC Wildfire Service does not have a comprehensive permitting process to facilitate the entry of support personnel, equipment, and supplies into an evacuation order area, and the Emergency Program Act and British Columbia Emergency Management System do not address, recognize, or provide any direction regarding the permitting of residents, farmers, or persons working in coordination with the BC Wildfire Service to enter into an evacuation order area: Therefore be it resolved that the Province work with local governments to develop a permitting system and associated policy, procedures, and best practices that facilitate the necessary entry of persons, equipment, and supplies into an evacuation order area; And be it further resolved that the Province consider the need for legislation that addresses the risk management issues associated with allowing entry into an evacuation order area.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development BC Wildfire Service provides technical recommendations regarding evacuation alerts or orders to local authorities or First Nations based on life safety considerations. Evacuations are facilitated through the Emergency Program Act and fall under the mandate of Emergency Management BC EMBC. Drawing upon the lessons of 2017 and 2018, it was recognized that in certain circumstances, some individuals will need to enter evacuated areas on a temporary basis. EMBC worked with communities, provincial ministries and stakeholders to revise the Evacuation Operational Guidelines and to develop the Managing Access to Areas Under Evacuation Order Guideline. First Nations and local authority communities have been recommended a standardized approach to allowing non-response-related temporary access to evacuated areas. It is not a requirement that local authorities and First Nations follow the recommendations provided, and each community will need to implement a process that works best for them. These guidelines are posted to the EMBC website at: https:www2.gov.bc.cagovcontentsafetyemergency-preparedness-response-rec… under the broader heading Evacuation Guidelines.PDF copies were distributed to community emergency management contacts.