The Regional District of Nanaimo is applying for a grant to complete an evacuation route planning for Electorial Area F.
The RDN is seeking up to $25,000 to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
Electoral Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood) is next on the RDN’s operational plans for evacuation route planning.
The areas being targeted include the Corcan-Meadowood and Little Qualicum River Village communities, which have one road in and out access.
The area has been identified in the RDN’s Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Analysis that was compled in 2019 as being in a high to extream wildfire risk area.
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The Corcan-Meadowood Association has been working with the RDN emergency services and has been advocating for road access and evacuation routes. The construction of the bridge over Little Qualicum River Regional Park is now complete and it provides an opportunity for the development of an evacuation route in addition to the forestry roads off Ashling Road.
The Spider Lake and Horne Lake communities are also being included in the route evacuation planning as both are one road in and out routes.
The RDN board endorsed staff recommendation to apply for a maximum grant of $25,000 to help cover all the costs of the evacuation route planning for Electoral Area H.