Residents in the South McPhedran Road and South Dogwood Street area may notice the presence of Campell River Search and Rescue (CRSAR) volunteers and the RCMP in their neighbourhood between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday May 5, 2026.
This activity is part of a planned emergency preparedness exercise only.
The exercise is led by the Strathcona Regional District, in partnership with the City of Campbell River. As part of the exercise, CRSAR and the RCMP will be distributing mock wildfire evacuation orders to simulate how evacuation notifications might be delivered during a real emergency.
In addition to this news release, property owners within the exercise area were mailed a letter to inform them about the evacuation exercise. Residents should be aware that not all households within the exercise zone will receive a visit. The ability for first responders to visit individual properties will depend on the number of volunteers available to participate. The exercise is scheduled to conclude at 8:15 p.m.
Wildfire preparedness involves both participating in training exercises like this one and taking proactive steps to reduce wildfire risks around your home and property. The City of Campbell River encourages residents to take action by completing FireSmart activities, which are proven to make a difference. Addressing the three FireSmart Home Ignition Zones is a simple yet effective way to lower wildfire intensity and increase the chances of your home surviving a wildfire event.
Residents interested in a free FireSmart Home Assessment can contact the City of Campbell River’s FireSmart Coordinator by emailing firesmart@campbellriver.ca or by calling 250‑286‑6266. The City also offers FireSmart rebates to homeowners, covering up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $5,000 per property. Rebates are limited and available on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
For more information about how to prepare your household for an evacuation alert, evacuation order or evacuation cancellation please visit www.srd.ca/evacuations
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Contacts:
Stephanie Bremer, City of Campbell River Assistant Chief – Fire Dispatch/Emergency Management | 250-286-6266 | stephanie.bremer@campbellriver.ca
Shaun Koopman, Strathcona Regional District, Manager of Emergency Services | 250-830-6702 | skoopman@srd.ca