Evacuation process

Discover how the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) coordinates with supporting agencies throughout the evacuation process.

On this page

• Evacuation types
• How to manage strategic evacuations
• Evacuation reluctance
• Livestock relocation support

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Evacuation types

There are 2 evacuation types, tactical and strategic. Tactical evacuations focus on immediate response. Strategic evacuations are broader and planned. The public may be notified by an emergency alert tool, such as BC Emergency Alerts and Alertable, in both types of evacuations.

Tactical evacuations

A tactical evacuation happens when there's an immediate threat to public safety. A tactical evacuation is a temporary measure. If the threat continues, a strategic evacuation will be declared by local governments and First Nations. 

BCWS incident commanders (IC) are empowered under the Wildfire Act to evacuate people who are under immediate threat. ICs will work independently or with other response agencies, such as fire departments and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), to conduct this type of evacuation. 

The IC is responsible for managing the on-site evacuation and relaying information to the Regional Wildfire Coordination Centre (RWCC) at the fire centre. RWCC staff will initiate information to partners about the:

• Location and description of the area affected
• Wildfire size, behaviour, spread rate and direction of speed
• Estimated number of people and residences being evacuated
• Location evacuees are being sent to 
• Safe exit routes

Strategic evacuations

Strategic evacuation refers to the organized, planned process of relocating people from areas deemed to be at risk of wildfire to safer locations. 

The objective of a strategic evacuation is based on the British Columbia Emergency Management System's response goals. They are:

1. Ensuring the health and safety of responders
2. Saving lives
3. Reducing suffering
4. Protecting public health
5. Protecting infrastructure
6. Protecting property 
7. Protecting the environment
8. Reducing economic and social loss

Roles and responsibilities 

BCWS does not have legal authority to enact or enforce a strategic evacuation. This decision is made by local governments and First Nations leaders with support from the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR). EMCR will engage a call to facilitate BCWS recommending evacuation alerts or orders to local governments and First Nations. It's the responsibility of local governments and First Nations to issue and communicate strategic evacuation details with their communities. 

BCWS will work closely with partners to help define the area at risk and provide information on the current situation's status and forecasted conditions. 

The distribution of maps to the public is managed exclusively by local governments. BCWS will direct the public to local government websites where these maps are available, but does not issue or distribute them directly. If mapping capacity could pose a delay in the evacuation notification, help can be provided by EMCR through the provincial regional emergency operations centre (PREOC). 

BCWS also supports evacuation communication by coordinating messaging and providing wildfire subject matter experts, such as an IC or operations chief, to make public presentations. These presentations are organized by the local government or First Nations community. 

EMCR also facilitates conference calls with all partners to share updates, gather feedback and address any concerns, as necessary.

How to manage strategic evacuations

Typically, strategic evacuations unfold in 3 stages. However, in urgent scenarios, proceeding directly to issuing an evacuation order may be required.

Evacuation stages

When BCWS supports a strategic evacuation, a 3-stage process is used. It consists of an evacuation alert, an evacuation order and an evacuation rescind. 

Evacuation alert

An evacuation alert lets the community of a potential or current threat know that an evacuation order may follow. During this stage, people are asked to prepare for a potential evacuation by gathering personal supplies and belongings for a minimum of 3 days. 

The movement of vulnerable populations can be supported during this stage. If relocation of livestock is needed, it should be done during this stage as well. 

If the situation improves, evacuation alerts can be lifted entirely. Lifting this notice indicates that the threat has subsided, and it's safe for people to resume normal activities.

Evacuation order

An evacuation order initiates the evacuation of all or part of a community. When this order is given, everyone in the affected area must leave immediately. An evacuation order helps ensure public safety and safe access for responders. 

Evacuation orders can be issued at any time, including the early hours of the morning. They're enforced by the appropriate local authorities, the RCMP or other designated local government representatives.

This order usually comes following a recommendation from the IC and/or hazard-specific subject matter expert to the local government or First Nations community. The order should include the designated evacuation routes, closed routes and the location of Emergency Support Services reception centres. 

State of Local Emergency (SOLE)

A SOLE must be in place for an evacuation order to be declared. A SOLE is not required for provincial emergency management support or an evacuation alert. 

Boundaries of the SOLE must cover all areas under the evacuation order. They expire after 14 days, unless the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness approves the communities request to renew for another 14 days.

It's recommended that First Nations communities follow the process as legislated for local governments.

Evacuation rescind

An evacuation rescind means that the situation is currently safe and people can return to their community. 

Once the threat to life and safety from wildfire has passed, the IC and/or hazard-specific subject matter expert will make a recommendation to the local government or First Nation to end the evacuation order or downgrade it to an evacuation alert. Other hazards may exist that do not allow for the evacuation order to be lifted.

If only a portion of the evacuation order can be lifted, local governments and First Nations can either: 

• Issue an evacuation rescind for the entire evacuation order area and issue a new order or alert immediately afterwards identifying the new geographic boundaries
  or
• Issue an amendment to the existing evacuation order, clearly identifying the changes 

Whichever option is preferred, it's important for the local government or First Nation community to issue clear and consistent maps that identify the impacted properties. 

Local governments and First Nations may also need to work with other agencies prior to rescinding an evacuation alert or order to identify any potential safety concerns, structure or utility losses from the wildfire. This will need to be addressed to ensure a safe re-entry of the evacuated area. Examples include the impacts of bridge or road safety, potable water and hazardous on-site materials. If conditions other than the wildfire still pose a risk, it may not be safe for people to return to the affected area.

Communication expectations

Although BCWS doesn't have legal authority to start or enforce a strategic evacuation, local governments and First Nations leaders must gather a thorough understanding of the risks, threats and expectations from BCWS. This knowledge helps these groups decide if or when to issue an evacuation alert or order. 

The regional wildfire coordination officer (RWCO) or IC will always aim to provide consistent and clear communication to all partners. 

Regular communication between the RWCO/IC and the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)/EMCR is important, as BCWS will not have access to all information about the evacuation area. For example, BCWS will need information about the number of affected properties, access routes and reception centre locations. Communication with the local authority or First Nation will be completed in coordination with EMCR. 

Timing evacuation order announcements

An evacuation order recommendation should be communicated with appropriate timing and is determined through discussion between the RWCO/IC and the EOC/EMCR. For example:

• If an order is implemented too far in advance, it can expose evacuees to unnecessary hardship and make people less likely to leave quickly in the future
• If an order is implemented too late, it can expose the community to higher risk conditions while evacuating

EMCR uses a general formula to determine evacuation timelines. If the evacuation involves complex infrastructures, such as hospitals or prisons, allocate extra time.

Coordinating communications amongst partners

If deemed necessary by the IC and the RWCO, an evacuation alert or order will be recommended to the appropriate jurisdictional authority through discussions coordinated by EMCR. 

How to plan evacuation routes

The majority of evacuations will occur on roads and highways using personal vehicles and public or private transit, as coordinated by the local First Nation or local government. Consideration of alternative methods, such as air, rail and marine, should also be given to areas with single or limited exit routes. 

Factors to consider:

• Number and geographic distribution of evacuees
• Available transportation resources
• Capacities and vulnerabilities of transportation infrastructure and network
• Potential for congestion and bottlenecks 
• Areas vulnerable to damage
• Available facilities. For example, fuel supplies that are internal or external of your jurisdiction
• Vehicle breakdown contingencies, both internal or external of jurisdiction
• Access control and security of evacuated area
• Coordination of evacuation routes with the appropriate authority, including BC Parks, the District Office of the Ministry of Forests and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. This will ensure all recommended evacuation routes are open and will help confirm road conditions and current industrial use 
• Use of assembly points to provide a safe staging area for people to meet while waiting for transportation to a reception centre

How to manage access to the emergency zone

The primary authority for approving or denying requests for temporary access in areas under an evacuation order lies with the local government or First Nation that enacted the order.

BCWS ensures decision-makers understand the risk to people allowed into an evacuated area. These risks include: 

• Ground and air operations
• Road traffic, such as convoys and heavy equipment
• Fire behaviour and hazardous trees

Recommended temporary access approval process

While the process outlined below provides a standard framework, the formality and specifics of this process may vary depending on the situation's demands.

1. The local government or First Nation EOC receives an enquiry for an access request
2. Requestors fill out a temporary access permit and include location specifics and reasons for access. Permits might not always be a physical document. It could also be in a digital format, such as an email
3. The EOC will communicate the permit requests to the hazard-specific subject matter expert for recommended approval or denial on a daily basis, at a pre-determined and agreed upon time
4. The EOC makes an informed decision for the final approval or denial of the permit
5. The EOC completes, signs-off and issues numbered, standardized permits to the approved requestor(s)
6. The EOC creates an EOC master list of the approved permits for each day. This list will be sent to the respective checkpoints and RCMP
7. Permit holders receive a safety briefing from the EOC at the time they receive the permit
8. To gain temporary access, permit holders will have the permit waiver explained to them, and will voluntarily sign the waiver with full understanding of the terms and conditions 
9. Permit holder goes to the checkpoint at the specified time and location
10. Checkpoint authorities will cross reference the permit with the EOC master list to allow valid permit holders to temporarily enter the evacuated area

Exiting the evacuated area 

When the person exits the checkpoint area:

1. The permit is returned to checkpoint personnel
2. The time of departure is noted on the master list
3. The master list and the permits are returned to the EOC at the end of the operational period, or as agreed upon

Should somebody not exit the evacuation area at the time stated on the EOC master list, and after a previously agreed-upon grace period of 30 minutes, checkpoint personnel should contact the EOC to report the situation. The EOC will then attempt to contact the permit holder before liaising with the hazard-specific subject matter expert to determine next steps.

Evacuation reluctance 

Evacuation orders are issued to protect both the community and emergency responders in situations where there's a significant danger. These orders are not just for the safety of those in the affected zones but also for the firefighters and other personnel working to control the situation. Similar to how BCWS staff or firefighters living in evacuation zones must adhere to these orders, so must all community members.

All BCWS staff will encourage evacuees to follow the direction of their local government or First Nation. 

If individuals choose to stay in an area despite an evacuation order, authorities may file a report and impose fines.

Keeping first responders safe

It's important to consider the protection of first responders who deliver evacuation notifications. They should be protected from:

• The hazard
• Critical incident stress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

First responders should be trained to avoid trying to settle conflicts during an evacuation. They should report the situation to the local government or First Nation EOC for resolution and focus on proceeding with evacuation notifications. 

Livestock relocation support

A high level of coordination and time is required to relocate agricultural livestock during emergencies. This process should be initiated as soon as a potential threat is identified. EMCR will reimburse the costs incurred by eligible farm businesses for livestock relocation during the evacuation alert or order phase. 

The EOC can submit these costs to EMCR. Relocation of livestock may be coordinated between:

• BCWS
• EMCR
• Range Branch
• Ministry of Agriculture
• Any other responsible agency

Alongside any impacted:

• Local government
• First Nations community
• Rancher