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Communities across the Interior Health region are experiencing heavy impacts from wildfire smoke. People with chronic conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, as well as pregnant women, infants, and young children, are most affected by wildfire smoke. The best way to protect your health from wildfire smoke is to reduce your exposure to smoke and seek cleaner air. During smoky conditions: Stay indoors: Reduce time spent outside to protect your health Reduce outdoor physical activity: Refer to the Air Quality Health Index and decrease physical exertion when air quality is poor Consider wearing a well fitted respirator if you cannot access cleaner air: Use a well fitted respirator (e.g., N95, KN95) to reduce exposure to particulate matter in smoke Activate medical management plans: Ensure your plan to self-manage any chronic diseases (e.g., respiratory and cardiovascular diseases) is in place and up-to-date, and that adequate rescue medications are available Use a home clean air shelter: Spend time in a room in your home with a portable air cleaner with HEPA filtration to reduce smoke exposure In the video below, Medical Health Officer Dr. Sue Pollock talks about air quality, tips to reduce risk and how smoke affects you: Wildfire smoke and your mental health Smoky skies can affect us physically and also make us feel anxious and stressed. There are actions we can take to help improve and manage our mental wellness through these stressful times. Manage stress: Use stress-relief techniques such as meditation or focusing on a creative outlet (e.g., journaling and art) Tap in to social networks: Having conversations and spending time with people closest to us is especially important during emergencies and disasters Take care: Eat well, exercise indoors, drink lots of water and get enough sleep Help others: Assisting others can help us regain a sense of purpose and community as we confront challenges together. The Emergency Support Services Program welcomes and relies on volunteers to coordinate support services for people forced from their homes in an emergency.  Resources Visit the BCCDC wildfire smoke webpage to learn more about the health effects of wildfire smoke, how to prepare for wildfire season, and more For other steps to create cleaner air space at home, check out Health Canada’s online resource Guidance for Cleaner Air Spaces during Wildfire Smoke Events To learn about the steps that you can take to prepare for a wildfire and manage wildfire-related issues before, during or after a wildfire please visit our wildfires webpage Call 8-1-1 or your primary care provider if you're experiencing more severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, or 911 if it's a health emergency

As a result of a wildfire threat and evacuation alert in area, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Fraser Health and Interior Health (IH) have worked closely together to temporarily relocate residents of the Vineyards Residence assisted living and long-term care home in Kelowna to George Pearson Centre and Villa Cathay in Vancouver. Being evacuated so far from home can be distressing. B.C. Health Authorities are committed to providing the best continuity of care for arriving residents as well as maintaining high levels of care for current residents. VCH is partnering with IH and Fraser Health to augment staffing at George Pearson Centre and Villa Cathay to ensure a warm, welcoming and caring environment.  The wildfire emergency is impacting communities across the province. VCH and Fraser Health will continue to work with Health Emergency Management B.C. (HEMBC), IH and emergency service partners over the coming weeks to evaluate the wildfire threat and determine when residents can safely return to Vineyards Residence. To find information about a family member or loved one evacuated as a result of wildfires in the Interior Health region, a toll free number is available: 1-833-469-9800. Hours of Operation will be Monday to Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Please leave a message after-hours for a call back. VCH, Fraser Health and IH share their gratitude with staff, medical staff, and partner health organizations who have stepped up to help neighbours from B.C.’s interior during this difficult time. Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit in our region, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Lil’wat, Musqueam, N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa. Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and is home to six Métis Chartered Communities. Interior Health supports the health and well-being of more than 834,000 people across a vast region of 215,000 square kilometres located on the ancestral, unceded, and traditional territories of the seven Interior Region First Nations: Dãkelh Dené, St’át’imc, Syilx, Tŝilhqot’in, Ktunaxa, Secwépemc, and Nlaka’pamux Nations where we live, learn, collaborate and work together.

Chase, BC - Interior Health (IH) is responding to additional fire-related impacts to a seniors care facility in Chase. Parkside Community is on evacuation alert due to the Lower East Adams Lake Wildfire and Interior Health has evacuated the site. Fifty-three individuals in assisted living care were moved to appropriate alternate facilities in Kamloops and the surrounding area during the evening of Aug. 18. Interior Health has been in the process of contacting families directly to update them on the location of their loved one. Care facility partners determine the timeline for evacuations with IH providing support for specific requests such as transportation or beds. These evacuations are in addition to the relocation of individuals from eight other facilities within Interior Health and those evacuations are outlined in the table below. IH has also established a phone line where families can receive updates on the location of their loved ones. That number is: 1-833-469-9800. Hours of Operation will be Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please leave a message afterhours for a call back. Anyone requiring emergency care should contact 911 or proceed to Royal Inland Hospital or the closest Urgent and Primary Care Centres as needed. IH is also ensuring community clients continue to have access to the health services they need regardless of their location. Additional evacuations of people at seniors care facilities in other parts of the health region since Aug, 17 have included: Site Name and Location Number of Residents Type of Facility Operator The Highlands Retirement Residence - Kelowna 30 Seniors Living Caretenders Retirement Living Brandt’s Creek Mews – Kelowna 98 Long Term Care AgeCare Glenmore Lodge - Kelowna 115 Long Term Care Sienna Senior Living Lake Country Lodge Retirement and Care Community – Lake Country 48 Long Term Care Sienna Senior Living Lakeview Lodge Community - West Kelowna 112 Long Term Care Sienna Senior Living The Vineyards Residence – Kelowna 126 Assisted Living and Long Term Care Sussex Retirement Village at Smith Creek – West Kelowna 186 Independent, Assisted Living, Long Term Care Baptist Housing Seniors Living   Brookhaven Care Centre – West Kelowna 95 Long Term Care Interior Health No other sites are impacted at this time. However, this remains a rapidly evolving situation and we are working closely with the municipality, regional district and the BC Wildfire Service to ensure precautions are underway to protect patients, clients, and individuals in long-term care. More information about the local wildfire response, including evacuation orders and alerts, is available on the regional district website. Those requiring support during this crisis are encouraged to call the BC Crisis Line at 310-6789. Interior Health also continues to monitor other wildfire activity across the region. Everyone is reminded to make preparations for wildfires, and smoky skies as air quality deteriorates by visiting: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/wildfires Install the BC Wildfire Service mobile app (Android or iOS) or visit the BC Wildfire Service Dashboard to find information on current wildfire activity: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status The FireWork Forecast shows maps of predicted smoke impacts over the next 48 hours: https://weather.gc.ca/firework/. We will provide updates as new information is available.

Interior Health (IH) is responding to additional fire-related impacts to seniors care facilities in the Kelowna/West Kelowna area. To ensure the safety of individuals in care as well as the staff and physicians supporting them, IH is working with partners and has recommended its care facility partners evacuate the following locations: Site Name and Location Number of Residents Type of Facility Operator The Highlands Retirement Residence - Kelowna 30 Seniors Living Caretenders Retirement Living Brandt’s Creek Mews 98 Long Term Care AgeCare Glenmore Lodge - Kelowna 115 Long Term Care Sienna Senior Living Lake Country Lodge Retirement and Care Community – Lake Country 48 Long Term Care Sienna Senior Living Lakeview Lodge Community - West Kelowna 112 Long Term Care Sienna Senior Living The Vineyards Residence 126 Assisted Living and Long Term Care Sussex Retirement Village at Smith Creek – West Kelowna 186 Independent, Assisted Living, Long Term Care Baptist Housing Seniors Living   Care facility partners will determine the timeline for evacuations with IH providing support for specific requests such as transportation or beds. These evacuations are in addition to the relocation of 95 individuals from Interior Health’s Brookhaven Care Centre on the evening of August 17. IH has also established a phone line where families can receive updates on the location of their loved ones. That number is: 1-833-469-9800. Hours of Operation will be Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please leave a message afterhours for a call back. No other sites are impacted at this time. Anyone requiring emergency care should contact 911 or proceed to Kelowna General Hospital or local Urgent and Primary Care Centres as needed. IH is also ensuring community clients continue to have access to the health services they need regardless of their location. This remains a rapidly evolving situation and we are working closely with the municipality, regional district and the BC Wildfire Service to ensure precautions are underway to protect patients, clients, and individuals in long-term care. More information about the local wildfire response, including evacuation orders and alerts, is available on the regional district website. Those requiring support during this crisis are encouraged to call the BC Crisis Line at 310-6789. Interior Health also continues to monitor other wildfire activity across the region. Everyone is reminded to make preparations for wildfires, and smoky skies as air quality deteriorates by visiting: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/wildfires Install the BC Wildfire Service mobile app (Android or iOS) or visit the BC Wildfire Service Dashboard to find information on current wildfire activity: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status The FireWork Forecast shows maps of predicted smoke impacts over the next 48 hours:https://weather.gc.ca/firework/. We will provide updates as new information is available.

Grand Forks and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Boundary District Hospital (BDH) due to unexpected limited physician availability. This change is not related to current wildfire activity in the Interior. From 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail, Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson or South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in Grand Forks is normally open 24/7.

Interior Health is responding to fire-related impacts to health facilities and clients in West Kelowna. Brookhaven Care Centre is not currently on evacuation order as a result of the McDougall Creek Wildfire, however, given its close proximity to the evacuation order area and out of an abundance of caution, Interior Health has evacuated the site. 95 individuals in care are being moved to appropriate alternate facilities in the Kelowna and Summerland areas. Interior Health is contacting families directly to update them on the location of their loved one. No other sites are impacted at this time. Anyone requiring emergency care should proceed to the hospital as needed. Interior Health is also ensuring community clients continue to have access to the services they need. This is an evolving situation and we are working closely with the municipality, regional district and the BC Wildfire Service to ensure precautions are underway to protect patients, clients, and individuals in long-term care. More information about the local wildfire response, including evacuation orders and alerts is available on the regional district website. Those requiring support during this crisis are encouraged to call the BC Crisis Line at 310-6789. Interior Health also continues to monitor other wildfire activity across the region. Everyone is reminded to make preparations for wildfires, and smoky skies as air quality deteriorates by visiting: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/wildfires Install the BC Wildfire Service mobile app (Android or iOS) or visit the BC Wildfire Service Dashboard to find information on current wildfire activity: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status The FireWork Forecast shows maps of predicted smoke impacts over the next 48 hours: https://weather.gc.ca/firework/. We will provide updates as new information is available.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital (SOGH) due to unexpected limited physician availability.  From 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital. During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at South Okanagan General Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.   Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.   The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.  

Environment Canada continues to adjust heat warnings in the Interior Health region due to daytime temperatures in the mid to high 30 degrees Celsius combined with overnight lows near 18 degrees Celsius. No extreme heat emergencies have been declared at this time. Please check the Environment Canada website for updates on heat warnings in your area. Interior Health is reminding people that elevated temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illness. The BC Centre for Disease Control provides a broad range of heat-related guidance on its website, including information on the different types of heat alerts, how to prepare for hot temperatures, symptoms of heat-related illnesses, those most at risk during hot weather and ways to stay cool.  Preparing for and responding to hot weather: If you have air conditioning at home, make sure it is in good working order and turn it on If you do not have air conditioning at home: Find somewhere you can cool off on hot days. Consider places in your community to spend time indoors such as libraries, community centres, movie theatres or malls. Also, as temperatures may be hotter inside than outside, consider outdoor spaces with lots of shade and running water.  Shut windows and close curtains and blinds during the heat of the day to block the sun and prevent hotter outdoor air from coming inside. Open doors and windows when it is cooler outside to move that air indoors.  Ensure that you have a working fan, but do not rely on fans as your primary means of cooling. Fans can be used to draw cooler late-evening, overnight and early-morning air indoors. Keep track of temperatures in your home using a thermostat or thermometer. Sustained indoor temperatures over 31 C can be dangerous for people who are susceptible to heat. If your home gets very hot, consider staying with a friend or relative who has air conditioning if possible Identify people who may be at high risk for heat-related illness. If possible, help them prepare for heat and plan to check in on them.  Who is most at risk? Everyone is susceptible to heat-related illness. It is important to monitor yourself, family members, neighbours and friends during hot weather. Consider developing a check-in system for friends, family, and neighbours who are at high risk of heat-related illness.  Those who are at highest risk include: Older adults, especially those over 60 People who live alone  People with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease  People with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression or anxiety  People with substance use disorders  People with limited mobility and other disabilities People who are marginally housed  People who work in hot environments  People who are pregnant  Infants and young children Your health: Drink plenty of water and other liquids to stay hydrated, even if you are not thirsty Spray your body with water, wear a damp shirt, take a cool shower or bath or sit with part of your body in water to cool down Take it easy, especially during the hottest hours of the day Stay in the shade and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more Take immediate action to cool down if you are overheating. Signs of overheating include feeling unwell, headache and dizziness. Overheating can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, severe headache, muscle cramps, extreme thirst and dark urine. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek a cooler environment, drink plenty of water, rest and use water to cool your body.  Signs of heat stroke include loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting and very dark urine or no urine. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911. However, it is important to use 911 responsibly to avoid overwhelming the system.  When to call 911: In cases of heat stroke: Loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting or very dark urine or no urine. In general: When there is chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, severe burns, choking, convulsions that are not stopping, a drowning, a severe allergic reaction, a head injury, signs of a stroke or a major trauma. If you have a less urgent health issue: You can call HealthLinkBC at 811 and speak with a nurse or go to an urgent care centre or clinic if you can do so safely. That way, our emergency medical dispatch staff and paramedics will be available for people who need their services the most. There are also online tools at healthlinkbc.ca, including a “Check Your Symptoms” tool

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a heat warning for the southern Fraser Canyon including the community of Lytton. Daytime temperatures reaching 35 to 38 degrees Celsius combined with overnight lows near 18 degrees Celsius are forecasted for the next five days from Sunday, August 13 to Thursday, August 17. This is not an extreme heat emergency. Interior Health is reminding people that elevated temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illness. The BC Centre for Disease Control provides a broad range of heat-related guidance on its website, including information on the different types of heat alerts, how to prepare for hot temperatures, symptoms of heat-related illnesses, those most at risk during hot weather and ways to stay cool.  Preparing for and responding to hot weather: If you have air conditioning at home, make sure it is in good working order and turn it on If you do not have air conditioning at home: Find somewhere you can cool off on hot days. Consider places in your community to spend time indoors such as libraries, community centres, movie theatres or malls. Also, as temperatures may be hotter inside than outside, consider outdoor spaces with lots of shade and running water.  Shut windows and close curtains and blinds during the heat of the day to block the sun and prevent hotter outdoor air from coming inside. Open doors and windows when it is cooler outside to move that air indoors.  Ensure that you have a working fan, but do not rely on fans as your primary means of cooling. Fans can be used to draw cooler late-evening, overnight and early-morning air indoors. Keep track of temperatures in your home using a thermostat or thermometer. Sustained indoor temperatures over 31 C can be dangerous for people who are susceptible to heat. If your home gets very hot, consider staying with a friend or relative who has air conditioning if possible Identify people who may be at high risk for heat-related illness. If possible, help them prepare for heat and plan to check in on them.  Who is most at risk? Everyone is susceptible to heat-related illness. It is important to monitor yourself, family members, neighbours and friends during hot weather. Consider developing a check-in system for friends, family, and neighbours who are at high risk of heat-related illness.  Those who are at highest risk include: Older adults, especially those over 60 People who live alone  People with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease  People with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression or anxiety  People with substance use disorders  People with limited mobility and other disabilities People who are marginally housed  People who work in hot environments  People who are pregnant  Infants and young children Your health: Drink plenty of water and other liquids to stay hydrated, even if you are not thirsty Spray your body with water, wear a damp shirt, take a cool shower or bath or sit with part of your body in water to cool down Take it easy, especially during the hottest hours of the day Stay in the shade and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more Take immediate action to cool down if you are overheating. Signs of overheating include feeling unwell, headache and dizziness. Overheating can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, severe headache, muscle cramps, extreme thirst and dark urine. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek a cooler environment, drink plenty of water, rest and use water to cool your body.  Signs of heat stroke include loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting and very dark urine or no urine. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911. However, it is important to use 911 responsibly to avoid overwhelming the system.  When to call 911: In cases of heat stroke: Loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting or very dark urine or no urine. In general: When there is chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, severe burns, choking, convulsions that are not stopping, a drowning, a severe allergic reaction, a head injury, signs of a stroke or a major trauma. If you have a less urgent health issue: You can call HealthLinkBC at 811 and speak with a nurse or go to an urgent care centre or clinic if you can do so safely. That way, our emergency medical dispatch staff and paramedics will be available for people who need their services the most. There are also online tools at healthlinkbc.ca, including a “Check Your Symptoms” tool