Returning home after an evacuation due to wildfire can be stressful and confusing. Before you re-enter your community, understand things may not look the way you left them.
The information below is intended to bring awareness to the risks of re-entering a wildfire impacted area. Along with these recommended steps and considerations, please visit Prepared BC for tips on how to re-enter your home safely.
Entering an area affected by wildfire
Area Restrictions
Even when an Evacuation Order has been rescinded or downgraded to an Alert by the local authority, an Area Restriction Order may be in place if there is a continued need to protect the public in areas where ongoing fire suppression activities are taking place.
Under an Area Restriction Order and section 11(2) of the Wildfire Act, a person must not remain in or enter the restricted area, unless the person:
- First receives written authorization from an official designated for the following purposes from the Wildfire Act; and
- Enters the area only in the course of:
(a) travelling to or from his or her residence that is not under an evacuation order;
(b) using a highway as defined in the Transportation Act;
(c) travelling as a person acting in an official capacity as defined in s.56 of the Wildfire Act; or
(d) travelling for the purpose of supporting wildfire suppression or enforcement patrol activities.
Area Restriction Orders, as well as fire bans and restrictions, can be found on our Fire Bans and Restrictions webpage.
Road conditions
Before driving through a wildfire impacted area, it is wise to check for road closures and highway conditions. Additionally, on routes where there is low visibility due to smoke from wildfires, drivers should reduce their speed, use their headlights and watch out for livestock or wildlife on the road.
For up-to-date information on highway conditions and closures, visit DriveBC.
For more information on resource roads and how to use them safely, visit the BC Gov – Resource road safety information webpage.
Post-wildfire hazards
Exercise extreme caution when entering a wildfire-impacted area. When you return to your home, perform a walk around and take note of any hazards in your area.
Danger trees
Danger trees pose one of the greatest hazards. These are trees that have been compromised in some way, such as by wildfire, damage, defect or disease and have the potential for unexpected falls. The risk of trees falling increases when wind or rain is present.
Trees that sustained defoliation or damage to bark at the base are likely to die within two years and should be removed. Contact your local government to get in touch with contractors that are specially trained to assess and safely remove danger trees.
Other hazards
Other hazards associated with wildfire-impacted areas include:
- Heavy equipment, aircraft and personnel engaging in suppression activities
- Ash pits, which may be hard to detect and can remain hot long after the flames have died down
- Unstable soils and terrain prone to erosion
- Increased potential for landslides or rock falls
- Damaged trails or irregular trail surfaces
- Increased water runoff, which could lead to flooding or debris flows
- Damaged infrastructure
Wildfire activity may also increase the likelihood of natural landslides and flooding. Learn more about what you can do to recognize the hazards and deal with potential risks to your property.
Fire retardant on the land base
Fire retardant is commonly used to slow an approaching wildfire to protect property and infrastructure. We utilize fire retardant provided by Perimeter Solutions.
Nearly 90 per cent of the retardant solution is water. Retardant is coloured red with iron oxide (rust) to increase its visibility for air crews and ground personnel. The main active ingredient in the retardant is ammonium polyphosphate fertilizer, which is eventually consumed by plant life and provides nutrients to the plants. Other components of the retardant are biodegradable and will break down by other means in the environment.
Precautions and guidelines are in place to minimize risk to the environment. As much as possible, we avoid releasing fire retardant where it can enter a body of water. To learn more about fire retardant use and water quality, read this online brochure.
If retardant lands on houses, cars, etc., the manufacturer recommends it be removed as soon as possible. If the retardant is still wet, it can easily be washed off with water. If the retardant is dry, removal may require some scrubbing with water or power washing with a mild detergent.
For more information, visit Perimeter Solutions website.
Wildfire impacts on water sources
Wildfires can impact water sources used for drinking water, such as nearby streams, rivers, lakes and watersheds. Impacts to the surrounding trees, soil and vegetation, as well as wildfire smoke, can cause a decline in water quality. For more information on the effects of wildfire on drinking water quality and how to know if your water quality has been affected, read the online brochure or check out the HealthLink BC website.
While efforts are made to avoid sensitive wetlands and water sources, occasionally wildfire control activities may have unintended impacts to a water source. Impacts to water sources are assessed by a qualified professional and rehabilitation of high-risk sites occurs as soon as possible. Several organizations will work together to assess, identify, plan, prioritize and mitigate disturbances in accordance with legislation.
Where restorative actions may be required for impacted water sources, the Watershed Security Fund, established in 2023, is a newly established funding source for communities looking to build resilient and healthy watersheds.
If you believe your drinking water source has been impacted by wildfire control activities, we encourage you to reach out to our claims department, who can take the information and provide next steps. See the “Starting the claims process” section below for more information.
Fire guards and wildfire suppression rehabilitation
We use many wildfire management strategies to suppress active wildfires, including the use of heavy equipment and crews to build fire guards. While these tools are effective for fire suppression, they may cause unintentional negative impacts to the land base.
When damage from wildfire suppression activities occurs, we deploy Rehabilitation Specialists to develop and implement wildfire suppression rehabilitation plans that attempt to minimize these impacts.
If damage from wildfire control activities occurs on Crown land, we collaborate with First Nation communities, local authorities and/or various impacted community groups when planning and implementing rehabilitation work.
If damage from wildfire control activities occurs on private land, rehabilitation practitioners coordinate with the B.C. Wildfire Risk – Claims program to implement rehabilitation activities. The B.C. Wildfire Risk – Claims program is the primary point of contact for wildfire suppression rehabilitation plans on private land. See the “Starting the claims process” section below for more information.
Starting the claims process
If there is damage to your private property that you believe occurred because of official fire control activities, connect with the B.C. Wildfire Risk – Claims program at BCWS.Claims@gov.bc.ca who can provide next steps. Ensure to include your name, address, fire number (and name if applicable) and a short description of the damage in your email.
Please note that claims will only be considered for damage caused by official wildfire control activities, not damage from the wildfire itself.
Additionally, we recommend you inform your insurance representative of losses as soon as possible. Be as detailed as possible when providing information. If you do not know the name of your insurer or insurance representative, contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ASK-IBC (1-844-227-5422).
For more information on insurance claims, additional support, restoration and cleaning, read what to do after a fire.
Mental health supports
Mental health supports are available for people who have been and continue to be adversely affected by historic wildfires throughout B.C.
Anyone can call the BC Mental Health Support Line for free, around the clock, at 310-6789 (no area code required) for help with anxiety, depression, emotional support and resources specific to mental health and substance-use disorders. Access to substance-use services (harm reduction supplies, overdose prevention services, naloxone, treatment options, such as opioid agonist treatment, safe supply and counselling) is available and can be co-ordinated through this number.
Additional Supports:
- Visit Help Starts Here or call 310-MHSU (no area code required) to find support for you or loved ones
- For free counselling services (available around the clock) with a professional counsellor from Wellness Together Canada, call 1 866 585-0445 (adults) or 1 888 668-6810 (youth)
- For the Wellness helpline for Indigenous people, call 1 855 242-3310
- For additional mental health and substance use information, visit Here to Help
- For peer support available for health-care workers, text or call: 1 866 802-7337
- Virtual mental health supports are online, including low- and no-cost counselling services
- Care for Caregivers, a peer-based phone, text and webchat service provides free and confidential support to health and social support workers in B.C.