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Emergency Updates and Resources

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On August 18, 2023, the Province of B.C. declared a Provincial State of Emergency to support ongoing response and recovery efforts caused by wildfire. This declaration allows the Province to enact Emergency Orders, including travel restrictions to specific areas as needed. Non-essential travel to five communities in the Interior has been restricted to assist with evacuation efforts. Some travel restrictions have since been updated as of yesterday. View the Provincial press release here.

The Village responded to requests for support in Kelowna by sending Engine #6 and three volunteer crew members to the Okanagan. Before offering the resource assistance, staff ensured that there are sufficient inventory/availability for local operational response readiness. Mutual aid is available for help from our fire service partners in the Valley and through the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Emergency Program.

Wildfire Situation: North Island – August 21, 2023

  • Wildfires V82577 and V82558 in the Strathcona Park have now merged and are producing smoke that will be visible from Campbell River, Courtenay/Comox and Gold River. These wildfires are in steep terrain and are being monitored by BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) in partnership with BC Parks.
  • Paradise Creek (V82747) is currently listed as under control.
  • Village Bay Lake (V82797) is currently listed as under control.

People should register for the following CVRD notifications for the areas that they feel they need to know about emergencies in.

https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/emergency-management/emergency-notification-system

Comox Valley Emergency Notifications

Sign up to receive local emergency notifications from the Comox Valley Regional District, City of Courtenay, Town of Comox and Village of Cumberland. You can find the simple sign up, add those you care about, or be informed notices here: https://comoxvalley.connectrocket.com/

Register by Phone

If you would prefer to register by phone for emergency notifications, or if you know someone who would like to receive notifications but is unable to sign up call 250-334-6000 and a member of their team will call you back to assist you with further support with registration.

Comox Valley Regional District Emergency Plans and Guidelines

Cumberland’s Emergency Program

BC Rural Health Network – Navigating Wildfires: Online Resources for BC Residents

Preparing an Emergency Kit-Grab and Go Bag

FMI on the air quality in the province, visit the BC Air Quality page.
FMI on the current wildfire situation in BC, visit the BC Wildfires map page.

Report Forest Fires to *5555 on your Cell or to 9-1-1

Cumberland residents are asked to be aware of the potential of forest fires and to be vigilant when in the surrounding forests to not do anything that may ignite a fire. Forest fire danger rating is currently “extreme”. Forest fuels are very dry and the fire risk is serious. New fires may start easily, burn vigorously, and challenge fire suppression efforts. Extreme caution must be used in any forest activities.

Extreme: Extremely dry forest fuels and the fire risk is very serious. New fires will start easily, spread rapidly, and challenge fire suppression efforts. General forest activities may be restricted, including open burning, industrial activities and campfires.

The Village of Cumberland is still under Fire Ban imposed by the province.

The campfire prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

Keep an eye out for smoke in the forest. To report a wildfire, immediately call *5555 on your cellular phone or 9-1-1.

Reduce the Impacts of Wildfire on Your Home

You can improve the chances of your home surviving a wildfire.

By taking action and creating a FireSmart property, you will dramatically increase the resistance of your home and property to damage caused by wildfire. The best part is, it’s surprisingly easy to do.

Your priorities should include:

  • moving any combustible material at least 10 metres away from your home; this includes firewood piles, landscaping bark mulch and wood chips, and fallen branches and leaves
  • cleaning your gutters of dry needles and leaves
  • pruning any tree branches that are within 2 metres of the ground
  • removing any highly flammable plants and landscaping from within 10 metres around your home, especially coniferous trees like cedar, spruce, fire and pine
  • spacing trees in your yard at least 2 metres apart

Find out more about preparing your home and yard from FireSmartBC.

Do you have questions? Contact the Cumberland Fire Department at 250-336-2531 or firedepartment@cumberland.ca

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