A wildfire evacuation can be a very emotional and stressful experience. The uncertainty of not knowing where you will go, when you may be able to return, whether your home will still be there and how you will provide for your family while away from your community, are extremely difficult thoughts to cope with in the midst of an emergency evacuation. Contrary to homeowners, Canadian farmers face many more anxieties as not only is their home, but also their livelihood including their land, farming infrastructure, crops, and livestock, are at risk of permanent damage during a wildfire.
My family friends, who endured the 2021 Merritt fire and are still in the process of rebuilding their lifestyle, put these concerns into concise perspective:
My family friends, who endured the 2021 Merritt fire and are still in the process of rebuilding their lifestyle, put these concerns into concise perspective:
Evacuating
Living in a wildfire prone region meant my family friends prepared ways to minimize their panic during an emergency wildfire evacuation. Firstly, they had a plan on who they could stay with for temporary shelter, as well as a ready bag in their home.
“It took a lifetime to raise our farm, and only one wildfire season to destroy it.”
Ready Bag
A ready bag contains emergency supplies in case of a natural disaster such as a fire. In theirs, they included a few days worth of non-perishable food and water, a map highlighting a minimum of 2 different evacuation routes in case navigation systems went down, medications and copies of important documents, extra clothes, an emergency blanket, cash, a first aid kit, and a flashlight with extra batteries.
Having emergency supplies prepared and in an easy to grab location makes evacuation much more efficient, as often the impending threat of a wildfire leaves little time to sufficiently prepare.
A ready bag contains emergency supplies in case of a natural disaster such as a fire. In theirs, they included a few days worth of non-perishable food and water, a map highlighting a minimum of 2 different evacuation routes in case navigation systems went down, medications and copies of important documents, extra clothes, an emergency blanket, cash, a first aid kit, and a flashlight with extra batteries.
Having emergency supplies prepared and in an easy to grab location makes evacuation much more efficient, as often the impending threat of a wildfire leaves little time to sufficiently prepare.
