BC’s State of Emergency status has been extended by an additional two weeks, until August 2nd, 2017. As of today, 14 First Nations communities in BC are under evacuation order or alert. Air quality has improved for many areas at this time but is likely to worsen around Prince George, Williams Lake, Quesnel and Kamloops areas tomorrow.

Premier John Horgan announced yesterday that an additional $600 will now be available for every 14 day period evacuees are unable to return to their homes due the wildfires. Distribution of funds is being coordinated by the Red Cross. The Red Cross registration phone lines are open 24/7 and there are zero wait times. The phone number is 1-800-863- 6582.  People can also register online at www.redcross.ca.

Primary care services are now being delivered away from the Powwow grounds at the Sandman Centre. Shuttles leave the Powwow grounds every hour on the hour. Please encourage evacuees to go to that location. Pharmacist, nurse practitioner and nursing services are now delivered all in one place.

Emergency Support Services have been extended to evacuees that do not have insurance, including lodging. To maintain lodging it is important to complete the renewal/extension process at the reception service centre. ESS is recommending that people bring their original paperwork to speed up the extension process. There are some limitations with Thompson Rivers University lodging after August 11 and agencies are looking at alternate arrangements, should the evacuation order extend beyond this date.

For other evacuees who are in hotels and renewed today, their renewal period is 7 days. If another renewal is required evacuees will need to follow the renewal process and may remain in their hotels. This will continue for the duration of the event. No one will be required to move from hotels to group lodging.

 

Recognizing the barriers posed by a lack of photo identification Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) will be partnering with First Nations to provide/process ‘Certificate of Indian Status’ cards (CIS) for BC wildfire evacuees. First Nations clients do not need to bring any identification with them to be eligible for the card. The CIS cards, which provide photo ID, can be processed and created on-site. Service centers are being established in both Kamloops and Prince George, more information to come.

With the current evacuations taking place in BC, some clients may not have access to their medications and will require a refill or replacement. If you need to replace or refill a prescription for medication, please go to a local pharmacy and bring your identification. For those without identification, clients or pharmacists can contact the First Nations Health Authority at 1-800-317-7878 to verify client identification information and for NIHB billing purposes.

If you require patient travel services due to the wildfires, including routine transportation to dialysis and other appointments, please contact FNHA Health Benefits at 1.800.317.7878 and we will guide you through what supports are available. Please also phone this number if the office that you usually receive assistance at is shut down due to the wildfires.  We raise our hands in thanks to First Nations near evacuation reception centres who have been supporting displaced community members with medical transportation services.

For all medical supplies and equipment, including refill or replacement of oxygen tanks and related products, please contact FNHA Health Benefits at 1.800.317.7878.

Please contact FNHA Health Benefits at 1.800.317.7878.

Our FNHA wildfire information page (fnha.ca/wildfires) will be the main location for FNHA updates on the wildfire situation, current evacuation zones, road closures, emergency phone lines and other crucial emergency services. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed.