Accessing care if you're evacuated due to a wildfire

Your living situation could change quickly during wildfire season if you’re evacuated, but your need to access health care could remain the same. Consult these resources on how to access health care if you are evacuated.

In this Story…

Important resources

First Nations supports

Accessing medication

Getting lab work done

Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) support

Home health & seniors care

Important resources

Recovery Resources

• Recover after a wildfire | BC Government
• Home Fires: Before, During & After | Red Cross
• Coping with a natural disaster | Canadian Mental Health Association

Health Resources

• Food safety after a fire
• Fire retardants in source water
• Current public water notifications
• Assessing sewage disposal systems for damage and repair
• Wildfire Smoke | BC Centre for Disease Control
• Wildfires and Your Health | HealthLinkBC

First Nations supports

First Nations clients seeking supports with refilling prescriptions, medical supplies and equipment can contact First Nations Health Benefits at 1-855-550-5454. Visit the First Nations Health Authority Wildfire Response web page for more information.

Accessing medication

Visit any pharmacy and speak to the pharmacist. They can help you access an emergency supply of the medications you may need without needing to see a physician or nurse practitioner. Pharmacists in B.C. are able to prescribe medications for minor ailments and contraception.

Getting lab work done

For locations that have appointment bookings as an option, book your lab test online, or call 1-844-870-4756 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time, Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time, excluding statutory holidays.

If you have your requisition, kindly bring it to your lab appointment, or request your physician to fax it to the Interior Health laboratory of your choice. Please note that existing standing orders can be accessed at any of our locations without a requisition.

Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) support

To access support, contact your existing MHSU clinician or 310-MHSU (310-6478).

Home health & seniors care

Call 250-851-7945 (toll-free 1-800-707-8550) to access home health/home support, wound care and IV therapies, diabetes education, and cardiovascular and respiratory care, and nutrition services.

Public health & maternity care

Contact 250-851-7300 (toll-free 1-866-847-4372). Includes nursing and health protection.