Emergency Resources

(Last updated July 26, 2024 @ 12:15 p.m. MDT)

Photo taken 11:30 a.m. - Baker St. in Downtown Cranbrook looking East.

Know before you go

Despite the challenges posed by natural events in our province, Cranbrook remains a safe, accessible destination, ready to welcome visitors with open arms. Our dedicated emergency resources page ensures you stay informed and prepared, allowing you to enjoy all the beauty and adventure our city and area has to offer with peace of mind. 

Below are some helpful links and information bulletins to help make your trip planning a little easier.

Provincewide Campfire Ban in effect

From BC Wildfire Service (July 9, 2024)

Effective at 1 p.m. MDT on Friday, July 12, 2024, Category 1 campfires will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.

In addition to open fires being prohibited, the following activities and equipment are also restricted:

• Fireworks;
• Sky lanterns;
• Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description;
• Binary exploding targets;
• Air curtain burners;
• Tiki and similar kind of torches; and,
• Chimineas.

This prohibition does not include the use of outdoor stoves. As per the Wildfire Regulation, an outdoor stove is a CSA or ULC-rated device used outdoors for cooking, heat or ambiance that burns charcoal briquettes, liquid fuel or gaseous fuel, and has a flame height that is less than 15 cm tall.

This order will remain in force until 1 p.m. MDT on Oct. 28, 2024, or until the Order is rescinded.

These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within the Southeast Fire Centre jurisdiction, unless specified otherwise in an enactment (e.g., in a local government bylaw.) Always check with local government authorities to see if any other burning restrictions are in effect.

Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To learn more about the different categories of open burning, visit the Open Burning webpage.

Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park/Lussier Hot Springs closed due to wildfire

From BC Parks, July 25, 2024

Whiteswan Lake Park and Lussier Hot Springs is currently closed due to a wildfire within the Mount Morro Area. BC Wildfire Service has implemented an Area Restriction including a closure for the Whiteswan Lake FSR as of July 25, 2024. Park visitors are asked to obey closures and respect ongoing wildfire operations within the vicinity. Please continue to monitor this web page for updates pertaining to closed areas of the park.

In the interest of public safety, BC Parks has closed this park until further notice.

Get up-to-date information from other official sources, such as the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the local regional district, and Drive BC.

You can still visit other BC Parks that remain unaffected by wildfire. Find other places to visit on the find a park page.

Top of the World Provincial Park closed due to wildfire

From BC Parks (July 17, 2024)

Top of the World Park is currently closed due to a wildfire within the Mount Morro Area reported on July 17. Park visitors are asked to obey closures and respect ongoing wildfire operations within the vicinity.

In the interest of public safety, BC Parks has closed this park until further notice.

Get up-to-date information from other official sources, such as the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the local regional district, and Drive BC.

You can still visit other BC Parks that remain unaffected by wildfire. Find other places to visit on the find a park page.

Drivers warned to prepare for highway closures due to wildfires

From the Government of B.C. (July 22, 2024)

Wildfire activity is increasing in the B.C. Interior and travel on some provincial highways is being affected.

As fire conditions can change quickly, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advises drivers that provincial highways may close with limited notice.

Non-essential travel to and within fire-affected areas is discouraged to help avoid traffic congestion on evacuation routes.

If people must travel on Interior highways adjacent to wildfires, drivers should ensure they are prepared for possible delays or closures. Travel with a full tank of gas, food, water and other emergency supplies.

For safety and to ensure firefighting efforts are not impeded, drivers should not stop along the highway but instead travel directly to their destinations. 

DRIVE BC

• Information about road closures, major events, and transportation delays.
• Interactive map with webcams
• Twitter: @DriveBC
• Website: www.drivebc.com/

BC WILDFIRE SERVICE

• Interactive map of all active wildfires across the province.
• Twitter: @BCGovFireInfo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo/
• Campfire bans, restrictions and forest use
• Report wildfires to *5555 on a cell or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.
• Website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status

AIR QUALITY

• Smoke conditions across the province can change hourly. Check the Air Quality Health Index for real-time updates from across BC, or check the Smoke Forecast.

EMERGENCY INFO BC

• Information about emergencies in BC, including evacuation orders and alerts.
• Twitter: @EmergencyInfoBC  #BCFlood #BCWildFire
• Website: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/

TRANBC

• Information on transportation safety and mobility.
• Twitter: @TranBC
• Website: www.tranbc.ca/