Southern Gulf Islands Emergency Program

HUMAN ACTIVITY causes approximately 40% of wildfires !

BC WILDFIRE SERVICE is currently responding to the Saw Creek wildfire, located about three kilometres south of Lytton. The fire is estimated at 100 hectares in size and is suspected HUMAN CAUSED!
The most important thing about human-caused wildfires is that they are preventable. The easiest way to fight a wildfire is to prevent it from starting.

Humans start wildfires in several ways, either by accident or intentionally. For example:

Open burning
Vehicle and engine use
Industrial activity
Fireworks, sky-lanterns, outdoor flame lighting
Discarding burning items (ci******es)
Arson

Use utmost caution this summer.

Are you ready to evacuate? Have you created an Emergency Support Services profile?

Emergencies like wildfires can happen when you least expect them.

If you’re under an evacuation order, leave right away, following all instructions from local officials.

Next, contact your insurance provider, as most home and tenant policies cover evacuation-related living expenses ✔️

If you don’t have insurance, or need help meeting basic needs, create an Emergency Support Services profile. ✔️

TIP: Doing this ahead of time will make it easier to access support.

Here’s how to create one:

Step 1: Visit ess.gov.bc.ca

Step 2: Click Create Profile

Step 3: Follow the BC Services Card login and registration instructions

Alt text: A person holding a smartphone with Emergency Support Services website.

EARTHQUAKES HAPPEN! - free public forums
Saturna: June 6, 1 pm at the Community Hall
Mayne: June 7, 1 pm at the Fire Hall

HEAR EARTHQUAKE SEISMOLOGIST ALISON BIRD TALK ABOUT THE RISK OF A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE here!
Alison Bird has been working as an earthquake seismologist since 1997: initially for the International Seismological Centre in England and, since 2000, with Natural Resources Canada. For 20 years, she analyzed and researched western Canada's earthquakes, and visited Haida Gwaii as part of a response team after the 2012 magnitude 7.8 earthquake. In recent years, she was part of a team developing a comprehensive risk assessment for Canada. Alison routinely responds in the wake of significant events (having given over 1,000 interviews).
In 2020, Alison joined the Earthquake Early Warning project as Liaison & Outreach Officer, helping to establish an EEW system for Canada. She is involved in numerous outreach activities, and is passionate about seismic-resistant engineering, in encouraging mitigation practices for at-risk communities, and in educating the public about earthquake hazards. She is on the Board of Directors for the BC Earthquake Alliance and on the Organizing Committee for the annual Great British Columbia Shake Out earthquake drill.

Look behind-the-scenes at a wildfire response.

Wildfires impact communities across British Columbia every year, but many people don't know what wildfire response actually looks like behind the scenes.

Wildfire, a show from Knowledge Network, takes viewers onto the frontlines of wildfire response during B.C.’s record-breaking 2023 fire season. The five-part documentary series follows our personnel, aviation crews, specialists and communities impacted by wildfire across the province.

From initial attack and parattack to air attack and unit crews, the series highlights the people, teamwork and decision-making involved in wildfire response.

You can stream all episodes free across Canada on Knowledge Network’s website or app.

📺 Watch here: https://www.knowledge.ca/program/wildfire

EARTHQUAKES HAPPEN! Pender Public Forum June 3rd at 7 pm

PRINCIPAL SPEAKER Dr. David E. Lumley will talk about the most recent science for the Cascadia Subduction Zone, its potential to generate a magnitude 9.0 megathrust earthquake and what that means for the islands.
Dr. Lumley is a Professor of Earth and Space Physics at the University of Texas at Dallas. He is the Cecil and Ida Green Endowed Chair in Geophysics, Dept Head of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences, and Director of the UTD Seismic Imaging and Inversion Lab. He has a PhD from Stanford University, MSc and BSc (Hons) degrees in Geophysics and Astronomy from UBC, and has served as an Advisor to the US National Academy of Sciences. David and his wife Glynis, both originally from White Rock BC, enjoy making music and art with friends whenever they are home on Pender Island.

SAVE THE DATE! June 3 at 7 pm

PLEASE! - Use care and follow all burning restrictions as we move into wildfire season in the Southern Gulf Islands.

So it begins...

The start of wildfire misinformation season is here.

As temperatures rise this summer and more wildfires ignite across B.C., the spread of misleading or false information also increases.

Before you share, take a moment to check the source.

For accurate updates, rely on trusted channels like our social media, wildfire map, and mobile app where we post verified information, images, fire behaviour details and response updates.

A quick check helps keep everyone better informed.

Download our app:

iOs: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/bc-wildfire-service/id1477675008
Google play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.bc.gov.WildfireInformation&hl=en_CA

3 DAYS LEFT - to apply for the SGI EMERGENCY RESILIENCE GRANT - deadline is MAY 13th.

The Southern Gulf Islands Emergency Resilience Grant is intended to help island communities increase their emergency preparedness and resilience. We welcome all individuals, businesses, organizations, and community groups to apply for the 2026 SGI Emergency Resilience Micro Grants (up to $500) or Impact Grants (up to $5000) during the spring intake period. Go to these links for a RESILIENCE APPLICATION GUIDE
https://www.crd.ca/media/file/2026-sgi-emergency-resilience-grant-application-guidepdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawRvHshleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5SnZrenNiOG1lMlYwdEh3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnkD1jA77yIhdPBYtVgGKbpZJe2InKCTa08xwbw83OGCbc8d7jYZVoV-HmqC_aem_xuMEVqAzCSWnbFMD31Snng
and FORM.
https://www.crd.ca/media/file/2026-sgi-emergency-resilience-grant-applicationpdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawRvHvhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5SnZrenNiOG1lMlYwdEh3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHi2295VHEpU7alroQNv0ZSXfr1PxkkWpeYKXenbqOuVMwEs86FVvQtp8X1yr_aem_4tt6f7QyNxE8MGAza4UvCw

If you have questions or would like these two documents sent to you, email: [email protected] and put in the subject line - 2025 SGI Emergency Resilience Grant Application

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 🌷

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌻🩷

On this day, we celebrate all the love, care, and strength that moms bring to our lives.

One of the greatest gifts you can give back is a sense of safety and preparedness 👈

Help your mom complete a home emergency plan: PreparedBC.ca/EmergencyReady

Gift her a grab-and-go bag: PreparedBC.ca/Grab-and-go

Get prepared: www.PreparedBC.ca

Alt text: Mother's Day greeting card with message that says 'You make me feel taken care of like a grab-and-go bag.'

ARE YOU READY? BEING PREPARED = PEACE OF MIND!