The City of Prince George and Regional District of Fraser-Fort George urged residents to be prepared for the worst on Monday as part of national Emergency Preparedness Week.
The city urged residents to make an emergency plan for their household and make sure they have an emergency kit ready, so they can sustain themselves for 72 hours.
“Prince George is surrounded by forest and we have the Fraser and Nechako Rivers flowing through our community. This in itself requires us to be knowledgeable and a prepared public is our best resource in the event of an emergency," Mayor Lyn Hall said in a press release. “Council encourages residents to visit the Emergency Management BC’s website and the city’s emergency planning page at www.princegeorge.ca/emergencyplanning to learn more, and find out how they can assemble an emergency kit for themselves, their families, and their pets.”
Last week the city began installing signs at Paddlewheel Park reminding area residents to be prepared for possible flooding. The area has been a frequent site of flooding during the spring runoff on the Fraser River.
"The BC River Forecast Centre is projecting rising river levels for the area over the next few weeks and the City encourages all residents to pay attention to river level forecasts and to be prepared should an emergency alert or order be issued," the city said in a release. "In addition, 2017 and 2018 were the worst forest fire years on record in B.C, and saw the evacuation of a number of B.C. communities."
Emergency Preparedness Week is a national initiative that has taken place since 1996.
Emergency Preparedness Week is a national awareness initiative that has taken place annually since 1996.
The regional district is using the week to remind residents to be fire smart.
“Emergency Preparedness Week reminds us to be aware of the risks we are prone to and prepare ourselves and our properties,” district emergency services coordinator Anita de Dreu said in a press release. “Wildfire is one of the biggest risks we face and there are some simple things we can all do to reduce the risk of damage and loss due to wildfire."
The following FireSmart principles can help protect your property and reduce the risk of wildfire:
• Clean pine needles and leaves from roof and gutters.
• Rake and remove pine needles and dry leaves within a minimum of 1.5 metres (five feet) from your home’s foundation. And remove leaves and pine needles from above and below decks, porches, sheds and play structures.
• Keep wood piles 10 metres (30 feet) or further form your home and other structures.
• Mow your grass to a height of 10 centimetres (four inches) or less.
• Relocate items stored under decks and porches to a storage shed, garage or basement.
• Gasoline cans and portable propane tanks should never be stored indoors and should be located away from the home.
For more information and resources about FireSmarting your property visit FireSmart BC at www.firesmartbc.ca.
