Wildfires: The Okanagan Valley can be known for wildfires and the Festival is in the height of wildfire season. Please be fire smart. Do Not Panic. Our staff and volunteers are very well trained to keep athletes safe, however it is good to be aware that if you are in a treed area and find yourself in a situation that you need to get away from a forest fire - move downhill. Fire travels uphill. Please make way for emergency vehicles at all times!! If an official in a BC Wildfire uniform orders you out of the area, please abide immediately.
If you are camping, there may be a fire ban restricting you from having open flames, campfires or outdoor candles. Please check current Fire Bans at http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp. If there is no campfire ban in effect please consider these fire safety tips:
-Choose a safe area with no flammable materials and a proper fireplace or a ring of rocks to light your campfire.
-Do not have a campfire when it is windy.
-Never leave a campfire unattended.
-Keep a bucket of at least 8 litres of water nearby the fire at all times.
-Completely extinguish your campfire before leaving the area. There should be no embers and the coals should be cold to the touch.
Report wildfires and columns of smoke to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from a cell phone.
Air Quality: We are monitoring the air quality in Penticton with the fires in the province and surrounding areas. Currently our entire festival is proceeding as planned as the air quality in Penticton is good. To check the Air Quality forecast please visit www.firesmoke.ca. To view the Air Quality Index please see the postings on Environment Canada.
PERSONAL SAFETY