There is an inadequate level of emergency egress capacity to support the existing and future population of the Juniper Ridge subdivision in Kamloops BC.

On July 1st evacuation of the subdivision was ordered shortly after a fire started north of the subdivision. While attempting to comply with an evacuation order, many residents were unable to exit their driveways, let alone the subdivision, due to extreme traffic congestion on all roads leading to Highland Drive. Hundreds of residents waited for 40 minutes or longer simply to exit their driveways and reach the round-about at Highland Drive and Qu’Appelle Blvd. Traffic congestion meant that up to a full two hours was required to completely exit the subdivision.

Evacuation efforts were further complicated by the fact that the gate at the west end of the subdivision on Galore Cres remained locked, which prevented residents from accessing the rural exit road in that area. 

Fortunately, the fire remained below the subdivision and did not spread to homes or vegetation within Juniper Ridge or the mountain behind which present risk due to current fuel load. Had the winds been stronger and/or switched direction on July 1st, the results could have been catastrophic, with potentially dozens or even hundreds of lives lost.  This fire had potential to be disastrous.

The city needs to provide proper egress for daily life and emergencies. Not ad hoc emergency roads. Proper developed roads to the east (Benchlands to Hwy 1) middle (Highland) and west (Rose hill) are needed to avoid a similar scenario in the future be it for fire, earthquake or any other emergency. 

This petition is to lobby the City of Kamloops to operate in a responsible manner and address the egress situation in the Juniper Ridge subdivision.