The Resiliency Centre – Fairfield Inn & Suites, 790 16 St NE, Salmon Arm. Call 250-833-3400

Emergency Support Services – Fairfield Inn & Suites, 790 16 ST NE, Salmon Arm. Call 250-833-3360

Shuswap Emergency Map – real-time updates on alerts, fire status and related information

CSRD Emergency Alert System – download Alertable app to receive alerts, notices and advisories

CSRD Emergency Updates

Emergency Info BC

BC Wildfire Service

Drive BC

Air Quality and Health Advice

Shuswap Hydrometric Data

Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw (Little Shuswap Lake)  https://www.lslb.ca/ 

Adams Lake Indian Band https://adamslakeband.org 

Insurance Bureau of Canada website: ibc.ca or email askIBCwest@ibc.ca call 1-844-227-5422

ICBC website https://icbc.com call 1-800-950-1498

BC Conservation Office – call 1-877-952-7277

BCSPCA website https://spca.bc.ca call 1-855-622-7722

AIM Roads (Ministry of Transportation and Highways contractor) call 1-866-222-4204 for after-hours and emergencies

Drive BC website: drivebc.ca 

Water and Food Quality: Information for Evacuees Returning after a Fire.
Interior Health Authority. https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/natural-disasters-and-emergencies/wildfires

Drinking Water Advisory Map. Drinkingwaterforeveryone.ca https://drinkingwaterforeveryone.ca/advisorymap/

Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality and Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke. BC Centre for Disease Control. http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/wildfire-smoke

I have a medical condition. Should I return home?

Anyone with concerns about a medical condition is advised to consult with a physician before returning home. People can call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 if they have questions or need help finding a physician.

Where can I get mental health support?

Experiencing a disaster such as a wildfire can be particularly stressful and overwhelming. If you need to talk, call the BC Crisis Line / Mental Health Support call 310-6789 (no area code needed) or HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1.

The BC Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association also has significant resources for dealing with natural disaster stress at website cmha.bc.ca.

Where can I donate equipment to help with the clean up?

• Coordinating donations is underway and more information can be found by contacting the CSRD Donations Line at 250-833-3396.

How can I volunteer?
Contact the Shuswap Emergency Program at 250-832-8194 or sep@csrd.bc.ca.

How can I register my home so that people can stay with me?

If you would like to offer accommodation, this can be done privately. Popular options for sharing this kind of information include:

Reaching out to your personal networks.

Contact local property management companies to discuss listing options.

Using online and traditional classified services I.e., Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace and local media outlets.

Where can I donate money, food, and clothing?

Contact the CSRD Emergency Operations centre for the current list of local organizations collecting items such as clothing, baby food and toiletries.

To make a financial donation, please visit the Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union (SASCU): www.sascu.com

Once you are home you may need to re-establish your utilities or check your billing. Contact your provider directly. Included below are some of the common ones in our area.   

• BC Hydro call 1-800-BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376) or FortisBC at 1-866-436-7847   

• BC 1 Call (for any underground service inquiries before you dig) website: bc1c.ca or call 1-800-474- 6886  

• Fortis BC website https://fortisbc.com Natural gas: 1-888-224-2710 Electricity: 1-866-436-7847   

• Rogers/Shaw Toll-free: call 1-888-472-2222 or websites: shaw.ca rogers.com   

• TELUS Mobility: *611 on your TELUS mobile phone or call 1-866-558-2273   

• TELUS Internet: Toll-free call 1-888-811-2323 or website: telus.com   

Note: For private water systems contact your provider or the contractor who regularly services your system. 

Wildfire recovery brings with it many unique and challenging disposal issues. We will assist you to find solutions wherever possible.

Always check with your insurance provider first regarding disposal of solid waste related to wildfires. Insurance may cover the costs of removal and disposal.

Refrigerators and Freezers

Burnt and Fire-Damaged Materials: Clean-Up and Disposal

Fire-Damaged Vehicles

Disposal Fees

Please note:

• The Scotch Creek and Skimikin residential solid waste transfer stations cannot handle large commercial, industrial, or demolition loads. These sites are designed to handle typical residential waste and small commercial loads only.
• Large demolition/construction and/or burnt material loads must be hauled direct to an operating landfill. The nearest operating landfill is the Salmon Arm landfill.
• Skwlax Aggregates accepts clean concrete and asphalt at $40 per tonne, 7 AM to 4 PM, Monday – Friday. Located directly across the road from the Industrial Park on IR#1. Visit www.skwlaxaggregates.com for more information.
• Christian Aid Ministries Rapid Response Services will provide yard clean up in the North Shuswap for non-insured people affected by the wildfire. Contact John Dyck at (250) 517-0075.

Landfill or Transfer Station Hours of Operations and Location

For more information:
Columbia Shuswap Regional District
Toll free: 1-888-248-2773
Website: www.CSRD.bc.ca
Email: operations@csrd.bc.ca

Navigating through the process of building on your property can be complicated to understand because of Provincial legislation and CSRD bylaws.

The CSRD manages a broad range of development approval and building permit processes, including but not limited to: zoning, development permits, variance permits, and building permits.

All new construction will require a building permit. New construction will need to be permitted by the CSRD zoning that applies to the property. A development permit may be required prior to a building permit being issued.

Typical development permits in the North Shuswap include:

• Riparian Areas for development within 30 m of Shuswap Lake or a watercourse;
• Lakes for repair, replacement, or installation of a septic system within 100 m of Shuswap Lake;
• Lakes for construction of more than 450 m2 in area of building footprint and/or impervious surfaces (e.g. pavement) within 100 m of Shuswap Lake;
• Hazardous Lands for construction on steep slopes and in potential flooding and debris flow areas
• Form and Character for construction of commercial and industrial buildings

Other permit details and types may apply.  More than one permit may be required for a property.

Help is available

The CSRD employs trained planners and building officials who can help you navigate the rebuilding process. Staff can explain the rules that apply to your specific property and suggest possible options for development.

A good first step is to contact the CSRD’s Planning and Building departments. Get the facts first. Moving forward with any development project will be much easier if you understand the process and the timeline.

You can:

• Email: plan@csrd.bc.ca  Email: buildingpermit@csrd.bc.ca
• Phone: 250-832-8194
• Visit the CSRD office at 555 Harbourfront Drive NE, Salmon Arm between 9 AM and 4 PM, Monday to Friday excluding statutory holidays. Appointments are recommended, but not required.
• Look through the CSRD website for planning information. The website provides general information. Speaking with a planner or building official will allow you to obtained more detailed information that is specific to your property and your rebuilding project.

What you need to know before contacting us:

• The location of the property − the address, legal description, or nine-digit Parcel Identifier (PID) Number.
• Ideas about what you would like to do or build on your property.

What happens next?

Due to the number of inquiries, it may take up to several days for a planner or building official to review your ideas and follow up with you.

Most responses will be provided by email, so you will have a record of the answers and information provided. They can also provide clarification by phone, if you prefer to speak directly with someone.

How can a planner or building official assist me? 

They can:

• Ask questions to understand your rebuilding project
• Explain the bylaws, regulations or permits that apply to your property and how they apply to your rebuilding project
• Explain the purpose of bylaws, regulations and permits
• Provide contact information for other government agencies you might need to work with
• Offer alternative development and construction options for your property so your project will meet the rules.
• Provide contact information for qualified professionals you may need to hire to prepare a report for your property and project
• Discuss options to seek a change to bylaws, such as rezoning or development variance permits, if your plans will not be permitted any other way.

You can make the process easier and more efficient by providing as much information possible about your plans and ideas.

Here are some useful links and guides:

• Development and Planning
• Building Projects

Wildfires may increase possible risks associated with flooding and landslides. The following links provide information for property owners to consider in their emergency preparedness.

Landslides and flooding risks due to wildfires (Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development)

Know your hazards Landslides – (Prepared BC)

Be prepared for floods (Prepared BC)

Landslide Hazards (GetPrepared Canada)

BC Extreme Weather Events – Property Assessment Impacts. For questions or concerns you may have about the impact of extreme weather events (including wildfires) on your property assessment.

Farm and Ranch Wildfire Plan Workbook – Preparing for and Responding to Wildfire. BC Ministry of Agriculture https://bcclimatechangeadaptation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/Resources/BC-Farm-Ranch-Wildfire-Plan-2019-workbook.pdf

Last–Minute Checklist for Protecting Your Home and Property from Wildfire.
FireSmart BC. Link to Checklist.

Propane safety. Canadian Propane Association https://propane.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CPA_Wildfires-Safety-Fact-Sheet-2023.pd

Province of BC’s Disaster Financial Assistance Program – Key Information.
Emergency Management BC. http://www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance

Fire Recovery Guide. Canadian Red Cross
https://www.redcross.ca/crc/documents/Fire-Recovery-Guide_2017_v3_1.pdf

Canadian Red Cross website: redcross.ca