What’s life like under wildfire alert? For Kimberley, B.C., residents, it’s part prep, part wait and see
Residents of Kimberley, B.C., are navigating life under wildfire evacuation alerts as the Matthew Creek blaze continues to burn nearby. While the city-wide alert was rescinded, some properties remain under threat.
Why it matters
Climate-driven natural disasters are increasingly disrupting daily life and requiring residents to adapt to long-term emergency preparedness.
July 23 | Duration 3:29 There's no end in sight to an evacuation alert for residents of Kimberley, B.C., as a wildfire continues to rage nearby. The community's mayor says all they can do is pack essential belongings, keep businesses running, and wait. Social Sharing UPDATE — July 25, 2026: The City of Kimberley has rescinded an evacuation alert issued last Sunday for about 8,100 residents due to the Matthew Creek blaze. An evacuation alert for 66 properties in the St. Mary Lake area, stretching west from Kimberley, remains in effect.
An old evacuation checklist is still pinned to Jerry Shepit’s refrigerator in Kimberley, B.C.
One line tells him to bring a radio and “lots of coins for the payphone.”
“No payphones now,” the 86-year-old said, amused by how much emergency advice has changed.
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