DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - The Peace River Regional District and the Province of British Columbia are encouraging residents to take steps now to prepare for potential evacuations as wildfire activity increases across the province.
Officials are urging people to pre-register for Emergency Support Services (ESS), a provincial program that provides support such as accommodation, food, clothing and other essentials during an evacuation.
The province says registering before an emergency happens can help people access assistance more quickly when they need it.
The reminder comes as wildfire activity continues in several parts of British Columbia.
As of Friday afternoon, approximately 1,200 properties were under evacuation order and another 6,400 properties were under evacuation alert across the province.
While British Columbia has experienced significant wildfire activity this summer, Northeast B.C. has so far seen a relatively quiet fire season compared to recent years.
There are currently seven active wildfires burning across the region, with no major communities under threat.
The low number of fires has provided residents with a rare opportunity to prepare before conditions potentially worsen later in the season.
The province says people registered with ESS may be able to access emergency financial assistance faster if they are ordered to leave their homes.
In some cases, evacuees can receive up to $200 per night through e-transfer, allowing them to secure accommodations without first visiting a reception centre.
Residents can create an ESS profile online at ESS.gov.bc.ca using their BC Services Card. Assistance is also available through the BC Evacuee Helpline.
In addition to registering for ESS, officials are encouraging people to update household emergency plans, prepare grab-and-go bags for every member of the family including pets and ensure they have enough supplies to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
With much of the wildfire season still ahead, emergency officials say now is the time for Peace Region residents to ensure they are prepared in the event conditions change quickly.
The province is also reminding British Columbians to monitor local government and First Nations websites and social media channels for updates on evacuation alerts and orders. Information is available 24 hours a day through EmergencyInfoBC.