Emergency Info

Current Incidents

Atmospheric River Flooding Resources - Posted 12.12.25

In light of the effluent discharge into the Elk River and the concerns from downstream residents as a result of flooding impacts, the RDEK has requested Interior Health provide information regarding the potential impacts to drinking water.

At this time, they have provided the following information:

Flood information for the public (water quality and your health): https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/natural-disasters-and-emergencies/floods-and-landslides

Drinking water resources (including private drinking water): https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/environmental-health-and-hazards/drinking-water

The water supplying the Elko Community Water System comes from a confined water aquifer, separate from the Elk River. RDEK water operators sample the potable water once a week, Interior Health (IHA) performs the Bacteriological tests on these samples, which are available to the public through the following link: Water Samples

Our Emergency Operations team continues to work with the City of Fernie, Interior Health, and other agencies and will provide any additional information as it becomes available.

Residents are encouraged to reach out to Interior Health for immediate concerns regarding water quality at [email protected].

To learn more about how to prepare for emergencies, build an emergency kit or create a family emergency plan, visit www.PreparedBC.ca.

For information on the East Kootenay FireSmart Program, click HERE.

Resources

To view more specific information and resources, click on the linked pages:

Evacuation Alerts & Orders
Evacuation Notification System Sign Up / Information - Every resident and property owner in the East Kootenay is encouraged to sign up for the Evacuation Notification System.
Personal Preparedness
Emergency Support Services
Drive BC - Current road conditions and closures
BC Wildfire - Interactive map of current wildfire situation
BC Wildfire - Southeast Fire Centre bans and restrictions
Kootenay National Park - Fire information and updates
FireSmoke.ca - Smoke forecast
Air Quality Health Index - Air quality data map

To Report Emergencies:

For all life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1. Here are the numbers to call for other emergencies in the East Kootenay:

FOREST OR WILDLAND FIRES: Cellphone: *5555 or 1-800-663-5555
FLOODING: 250-489-9677
OTHER (spills, landslides, avalanche): 9-1-1

For in-depth personal preparedness information, click here.