Immediate Emergency Support for the Summerland area

If you have been evacuated because of the wildfire in the Summerland area, please continue to follow updates from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Emergency Operations Centre.

For current wildfire information, including fire location and status, visit the BC Wildfire Service Dashboard. For current evacuation orders and alerts, visit EmergencyInfoBC.

If you need emergency support related to your farm operation, contact the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre at 250-490-4225. They can connect you with available emergency resources.

If you have farm workers who have been evacuated, make sure they have access to safe accommodation, transportation, food and other basic needs. If support is needed, contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 250-490-4225.

For general questions about agriculture programs, services or supports, producers can also contact AgriService BC at 1-888-221-7141 or AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca.

 

Important Resources For All Regions: 

For current wildfire information, including fire location and status, visit BC Wildfire Service:

For evacuation orders and alerts, visit EmergencyInfoBC:

If you need help moving livestock or farm animals, contact Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team ALERT at https://www.alertcanada.org/

 

Provincial Programs

Emergency Support Services (ESS)

If you or your farm workers have been evacuated, you may get basic supports like accommodation, food, clothing and other temporary supports. During an emergency event, ESS may be offered to an evacuee for a short period of time. Supports provided to those eligible are determined by a case-by-case basis. Services may be available for an extended period depending on the emergency and the circumstances of an evacuation.

  • Primary services include temporary lodging, food, clothing, and incidentals (such as toiletries)
  • Specialized services include emotional support, health services (such as first aid), pet care, and transportation

Local emergency programs can support evacuees through the ESS program during an emergency event. This can be done through curbside support or an open reception centre within or close to the community. Currently, there are reception centres and group lodging in West Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton.

Evacuees register for ESS by following the instructions provided on their evacuation alert or order. This process can be different for each community.

It is the discretion of the local emergency program to determine if online or paper registration is available at the time of the emergency event. Online uses the Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) tool with a self-registration option. Paper includes in-person registration with paper forms. Both options require a trained ESS responder to connect with an evacuee to complete registration and provide emergency supports on a case-by-case basis.

 

AgriStability

AgriStability provides assistance to producers experiencing significant declines in farm income. Late participation is available for producers who want to enroll in AgriStability for the 2026 program year. Visit Late Participation 2026 – Province of British Columbia or call 1-877-343-2767 to enroll.

Eligible producers may also be able to receive an advance (interim) payment of up to 75% of their estimated benefit.

 

Production Insurance

If you have Production Insurance and you are concerned that your crop has been damaged by the wildfire, contact your Regional Production Insurance Office as soon as possible.

Call 604-556-3001 or toll-free 1-888-332-3352.

Production Insurance covers a range of crop losses, including losses caused by fire.

 

Mental health and wellness

Wildfires and evacuations create significant stress for producers, workers and their families. The Province of British Columbia offers health and wellness resources for farmers, farm workers, processors, and their families, including information on managing stress, mental health support, financial stress, and crisis assistance.

Help is available, and you do not have to face these challenges alone.

Mental Health – AgSafe BC provides free and confidential mental wellness resources, counselling services, training, and support for members of the B.C. agriculture industry. Visit www.agsafebc.ca for more information.

For more information: Health and wellness in the agriculture industry – Province of British Columbia