Editorial
It’s the wee hours of the night and a soft breeze is blowing through the upstairs window.
In the dream you are having dinner with the family when someone starts pounding on the front door. But nobody gets up to answer it. The racket continues, and you stare at your wife and children who are stuffing their pie holes courtesy of a large swine cooking on a spit.
Seeing nobody put down their forks and knives, you make your way to the door which is bulging inward from all the havoc on the other side. A disembodied voice tells you not to open the door, but you feel compelled to do just that.
You suddenly awaken with heart slamming in your chest. Someone really is pounding on your door and screaming, “Get out! Get out! There’s a fire coming down the hill!
What the hell? Do you have an evacuation plan? Didn’t the district urge you to have one in emergencies like this?
Columbia Valley residents are urged to prepare for seasonal emergencies as warmer weather increases the likelihood of spring flooding and wildfires — the new normal.
First off, ensure that you have a grab-and-go-bag including all of the necessities your family needs in case of an evacuation order. Check the RDEK website at www.rdek.bc.ca and search “emergency kit” for more information. And don’t forget the RDEK’s Emergency Preparedness Fair in the parking lot of Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena on May 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents who live in low-lying areas are urged to prepare for potential flooding by moving equipment (and other assets) to higher ground. If you notice a rapid drop in water levels, there could be a problem (blockage) upstream. In this case your public works department should be notified immediately.
After flooding comes the wildfire hazard.
FireSmarting your home is simple and only takes a few hours. For example, moving combustibles away from buildings, raking up pine needles, and pruning overhanging branches can go a long way in protecting your home.
To learn more about how to prepare for emergencies, visit: https://PreparedBC.ca. For flood conditions and advisories, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/riverforecasta, and for wildfires, visit https://firesmartbc.ca/
