City of Kimberley Mayor Don McCormick is advising residents who work in Cranbrook or elsewhere, or those traveling, to make plans in the event of an evacuation order.

The city is currently under an evacuation alert due to the Matthew Creek wildfire.

“Kimberley and Cranbrook are closely connected in so many ways. There are 8,000 trips a day along 95A that include workers, trades and visitors going both ways,” Mayor McCormick noted.

“In the event of an evacuation order, traffic must go one way – out of Kimberley. No one will be allowed to return for their own personal safety and that of the crews marshalling the evacuation.

“This means that those living in Kimberley and working or day tripping to Cranbrook need to make arrangements that include children, pets and critical belongings should an order be issued when you are not in town. This would include an agreed meeting place to collect your belongings,” McCormick outlined on social media.

“The alternative is to not leave town until the alert is lifted.

“Yes, this is extremely inconvenient. However, these are unprecedented times where safety trumps convenience. If we are fortunate, the arrangements will not need to be exercised.

“Thank you for your understanding and patience as we manage through this difficult situation,” he concluded.

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