EFFECTIVE DATE: July 7, 2021

The BC Energy Regulator (Regulator) is reminding industry there are currently province-wide prohibitions for open burning, including category 2 and 3 fires, and a need to exercise caution for all activities. Permit holders and their contractors should maintain a high level of situational awareness by checking the BC Wildfire Dashboard and the Wildfire Prevention for Industry and Commercial Operators page for further information.

With the extremely challenging start to the 2021 fire season, and forecasts for a hotter and drier summer, providing up-to-date emergency contact information to the Regulator is essential. We urge all permit holders to create a single point of contact email, such as “emergencies@mycompany.com” with internal distribution to multiple recipients within your organization. Contact information using the subject line: Primary Emergency Contact” is to be emailed to EMP@bcogc.ca and can also include the name, phone number(s), and emails for regional emergency leads where applicable.

Please note that during rapidly evolving emergency situations directly threatening people or infrastructure, any contact information provided may be shared with BC Wildfire Service and Emergency Management BC.

Companies must also be aware of their legal obligations and activity restrictions under the Wildfire Act and regulations, and take essential precautions to reduce fire risks from, or to their operations, which include:

• Checking fire danger ratings before commencing any high-risk activities.
• Increase vigilance when conducting flaring operations.
• Flare stacks in good working order with sufficient blackened areas and no carbon build-up.
• Knock-out drums checked, and high-level alarms and/or shut-offs in good working order.
• Increase site maintenance including the clearing of debris and vegetation.
• Emergency Response Plans reviewed with employees, particularly wildfire procedures.
• Report smoke or fire to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 for cell phones.
• Provide employees with regular updates of fire hazards and preventive measures.

Direct data links to wildfire and other provincial emergency information are available on the Regulator’s Provincial Emergency Updates webpage. If operations are affected by fire, permit holders must report the disruption to the Regulator by calling the Regulator’s Emergency Officer at 250-793-7084 or filing an incident report through Emergency Management BC.

Operators can also access Emergency Management BC’s disaster management mapping and information portal, which includes evacuation alerts and orders, road closures and other essential information - please contact us at EMP@bcogc.ca for login information.

If you have any questions regarding this Safety Advisory, please contact:

Peter Dalton
Director of Emergency Management and Security
BC Energy Regulator
250-794-5343

Or

Cliff Chapman
Director, Wildfire Operations
BC Wildfire Service
250-318-9596