Ordering an evacuation of all or part of an emergency area is a very serious step and requires detailed planning. In British Columbia, the Emergency Program Act (1993) permits the head of a local authority to declare a State of Local Emergency, and that allows the local authority to order an evacuation should it be absolutely necessary. There are several other statutes (Fire Services Act, Forest Act, Health Act, Environment Emergency Act, and the Mines Act) that can be used to order an evacuation.

The evacuation procedure follows three stages:

STAGE 1 - Evacuation Alert
Authorities will alert the population at risk of the potential for evacuation because of the danger of possible loss of life and they should be prepared to evacuate the area. This warning will be transmitted by:

• Door-to-door campaign with pamphlets delivered
• Radio and/or television broadcast
• Sirens and mobile public address announcements
• Telephone calls
• Electronic media (internet/social media)

Note: even at this stage, plans will be in place to move handicapped persons, vacationers, and voluntary evacuees.

STAGE 2 - Evacuation Order
LEAVE THE AREA NOW! All persons in the affected area will be ordered to leave the area. The police will enforce the Evacuation Order.

STAGE 3 - Rescind
An evacuation order or alert is rescinded when it is determined to be safe for residents to return home. An evacuation order may be reinstated if a threat returns.