Fraser Valley Regional District receives $40K for new evacuation route

The BC Provincial Government announced it will provide almost $2 million in funding for better evacuation routes and public notification systems. The province will provide the funds through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) to local governments and First Nations. The $2 million will go to 51 communities in BC including Langley Township and Boston Bar to develop and update their plans through 42 public notification and evacuation route planning projects.

In this round of funding, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) is receiving $40,000 for a new evacuation route plan for Boston Bar Electoral Area A. In August 2023, the FVRD declared a state of emergency and evacuated residents in the area when the 485-hectare Kookipi Creek wildfire raged out of control. Evacuees from the region and neighbouring communities were directed to an emergency support services reception centre in Boston Bar. 

Langley Township is also receiving $40,000 in provincial funding to update its evacuation route plan, integrate BC Alerting technology, and update the public notification plan and tabletop exercises.

“It’s vital that communities have clear evacuation routes and dependable notification systems to keep people safe in the event of an emergency,” said Kelly Greene, minister of emergency management and climate readiness. “These projects will improve the information available to communities, residents, and first responders so they can act quickly and protect people when the need arises.”

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities will administer the funding to the communities. According to the province, since its launch in 2017, BC has invested $369 million in the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). The CEPF has supported approximately 2,600 projects, and it also funds volunteer and composite fire departments, emergency support services, emergency centre equipment and training, and Indigenous cultural safety and humility training. 

“The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund continues to deliver critical support to communities working to safeguard residents during emergencies. This funding strengthens local capacity to plan and communicate effectively in high-stress situations, ensuring that people have the information they need to stay safe,” said Trish Mandewo, president, Union of British Columbia Municipalities. “UBCM is glad to administer this program on behalf of the Province and support communities across B.C. to enhance emergency readiness.”

In June 2025, the Fraser Valley Current reported on a study of a historic landslide in the Boston Bar area that recently received $300,000 in provincial funding after geologists said it was unstable and may pose a risk to surrounding communities.