Denman Island Fire Rescue conducting wildfire exercise

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and Denman Island Fire Rescue, with support from Hornby Island Fire Rescue, will be conducting a functional wildfire exercise on October 16 to practice the procedures outlined within the Denman Island Evacuation Guidelines.

“For much of the year, wildfire is the biggest single risk to Denman and Hornby Islands,” explains CVRD Electoral Area A Director Daniel Arbour. “As we have seen this past summer, climate change, increases in available dry materials, and increases in population density continues to grow the risk within our communities.”

Wildfires are a real threat within communities. Practicing FireSmart principles around your home, property and neighbourhood will help reduce risk. The exercise will take place on Denman Island and include a small neighborhood evacuation. Residents within the neighborhood have been notified of the activity. As the evacuation guidelines are very similar for Hornby Island this exercise will provide a learning opportunity that will benefit both communities.

Residents on Denman Island may notice increased sirens, emergency personnel, and emergency vehicles participating in the exercise. Testing of the local emergency notification system will occur around noon on October 15 as part of the exercise. Residents can sign up for local emergency notifications at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/getnotified.

The CVRD would like to thank participating agencies within this exercise, including: Denman Island Fire Rescue, Hornby Island Fire Rescue, Oyster River Fire Rescue, Union Bay Fire Rescue, the Fanny Bay Fire Department, the RCMP, BC Wildfire Service, Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue, Comox Valley Emergency Radio Communications, Denman Island Emergency Support Services, The Salvation Army and the Comox Valley Emergency Program.

Residents are encouraged to practice FireSmart principles on their properties.  For more information on the exercise visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/islandexercise and to learn more about FireSmart visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/firesmart

The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.

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Media Contact:

Don Luckett, Fire Chief Denman Island
250-334-6562
rluckett@telus.net