Navigating Hazards, Risks, and Preparedness in Cowichan
Shawnigan Lake
Shawnigan Lake: Overview
The “Shawnigan Lake” area is in the southeastern part of the Cowichan region. It includes the communities of Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, and the First Nation reserve land: Est-Patrolas Reserve No. 4. Much of the area is forested with much logging activity. The area includes Shawnigan Lake, some agricultural areas, and residential communities. The area is dependent on Highway 1 as its connection to the rest of Vancouver Island.
Emergency Management Cowichan (EMC) acknowledges that the Shawnigan Lake area is where for thousands of years the Quw'utsun (Cowichan) People have walked gently on these unceded territories.
About This Tool: You are viewing the Navigating Hazards, Risks, and Preparedness tool. This interactive resource serves to share information from the Cowichan Hazard, Risk, Vulnerability, and Resiliency Assessment. Learn more at the Emergency Management Cowichan’s (EMC) website .
Scroll down for risks affecting this area or use the navigation bar above.
What Risks Do We Face?
The Cowichan Region Hazard, Risk, Vulnerability, and Resiliency Assessment identified priority hazards to focus regional emergency preparedness efforts. Visit the EMC website to learn more.
Within the “Shawnigan Lake” area, wildfire , severe winter conditions/windstorms , drought , and extreme heat are highlighted for local preparedness efforts, given the forested residential nature of the area and its dependence on Highway 1 for access. Other hazards may also be a concern.
Scroll down or use the navigation bar above to explore each hazard, understand the risks your community faces, and consider what you can do for emergency preparedness.
Hazard
Risk
Wildfire
Definition: Wildfires are unplanned fires occurring on forest or range lands.
About this hazard: Wildfire poses risks in the “Shawnigan Lake” area due to the proximity of forested areas and higher risk for drought, along with changing annual rainfall conditions due to climate change. Many recreational users also use this area, contributing to risk. Wildfires occurring in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), the transition zone between unoccupied land and human development, can spread to human settlements and cause significant damage.
Climate change is leading to more frequent and intense wildfires, due to increasingly dry and hot weather.
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Wildfires: What are examples of key impacts?
- Housing and property damage or loss.
- Injury or death.
- Business disruption and closures.
Wildfires: Who might be impacted?
- People living in or near by forested areas or areas with dry vegetation.
- People with chronic health conditions or respiratory sensitivities.
- People working as first responders (safety and health).
- People who are unhoused or experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.
- Animal, plant, and ecosystem damage and loss.
Wildfire: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified if a wildfire or other emergency is happening in your area.
- Visit the EMC website for information on wildfire preparedness and actions to take during a wildfire.
- Review the Cowichan Regional FireSmart Resiliency Program for more details on reducing the risk of wildfire damage.
- Prepare for potential evacuations, and follow instructions if you receive an evacuation alert .
- Follow BC Fire Bans and Restrictions and additional restrictions of your local jurisdiction.
- Keep N95 face masks on hand, purchase a portable air filter, or look into creating your own at home air filter in case of poor air quality.
Severe Winter Conditions and Windstorms
Definition: Severe winter conditions include snowstorms and blizzards. Heavy snowfall, often accompanied by strong winds can cause blizzards, impact infrastructure, and obstruct roadways.
Windstorms consist of strong wind gusts and high wind speed. They are often associated with tropical cyclones from the Pacific Ocean and heavy rain, and can cause damage to power lines and property.
About this hazard: Severe Winter Conditions and Windstorms are hazards for the “Shawnigan Lake” area due to the mountainous geography, local weather patterns, and significance of the highway as a connector to communities. The area’s steep slopes contribute to its exposure to changing weather, and the area has a history of recurring impacts.
Climate change is causing more extreme weather events, with more frequent and intense windstorms. While winters will generally be warmer, there may still be cold snaps.
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Severe Winter/Windstorm: What are examples of key impacts?
- Loss of utility services.
- Limited recreational and cultural access.
- Loss of community connections.
Severe Winter/Windstorm: Who might be impacted?
- Residents in the area who may experience impacts to their safety and homes.
- Commuters trying to get back home and experiencing unsafe driving conditions.
- People needing access to health services.
- People without an alternate heat source during a power outage.
- Recreational users who may not be able to safely be outside.
Severe Winter/Windstorm: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of a windstorm, snow storm, or other emergency happening in your area.
- Visit the EMC website for information on actions to take during extreme cold events or power outages caused by windstorms/winter storms .
- Dress appropriately for the weather and avoid exposure to extreme cold and wind as much as possible.
- Ensure your safety when you stay at home during extreme cold or wind events.
- Be mindful of driving or walking conditions as certain areas may be obstructed or unsafe such as areas with downed power lines.
Drought
Definition: Drought is a lack of precipitation over an extended period, resulting in a water shortage. It is linked to extreme heat and wildfires and can cause food shortage as well as water service interruption.
About this hazard: Drought is a key hazard in the “South Coastal” area due to limited water resources, the high water demand and potential impacts on agriculture, and changing climate conditions. In particular, this is felt during the summer when precipitation is typically lower, and temperatures are higher.
Climate change exacerbates droughts by making them more frequent, longer, and more severe.
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Drought: What are examples of key impacts?
- Impact on water supply.
- Supply chain impacts.
- Damage to forest health, aquatic systems and other ecosystems.
Drought: Who might be impacted?
- Agricultural workers, including farmers and migrant workers.
- Rural communities using personal wells for drinking water.
- Rural communities in forested areas as it increases risk for wildfire.
- Displaced communities due to economic loss.
- Animal, plant, and ecosystem damage and loss.
Drought: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of a drought or other emergency happening in your area.
- Visit the EMC website for information on drought preparedness, drought conditions, and actions to take during a drought.
- Inform yourself about current water restrictions and abide by them.
- Reduce water consumption.
- Upgrade equipment and appliances to decrease water consumption, if possible.
Extreme Heat
Definition: Extreme heat occurs when temperatures are significantly above average. Extreme heat warnings are given when daytime temperatures are over 29 °C and overnight temperatures do not fall below 16 °C for at least 48 hours.
About this hazard: Extreme heat is a hazard that poses several risks to the Cowichan region. Vancouver Island’s inland areas in particular can experience prolonged periods of hot and dry weather during the summer and can exacerbate existing drought, air quality, and wildfire risk conditions.
Climate change is bringing longer, more severe heat waves and hotter nights.
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Extreme Heat: What are examples of key impacts?
- Severe health impacts.
- Unsafe temperatures at work (indoor and outdoor).
- Ecosystem damage, including marine mass mortality events.
Extreme Heat: Who might be impacted?
- Seniors, children, and people with disabilities who are more sensitive to heat related illness.
- People without air conditioning or access to cooling centres.
- People with pre-existing conditions or on particular medications.
- People who are unhoused or experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.
- Rural communities where access to emergency services and health care facilities may be more limited.
- Animal, plant, and ecosystem damage and loss.
Extreme Heat: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of extreme temperatures or other emergency happening in your area.
- Visit the EMC website for information on extreme heat preparedness and actions to take during an extreme heat event.
- Stay hydrated and try to get to cooler spaces.
- Plan to check on neighbours and relatives who may be vulnerable to heat. If you are vulnerable, plan to connect with someone to let them know how you are coping.
- Purchase an air conditioner or box fan to cool down your home. Invite neighbours who don’t have air conditioning over to cool down.
Building Resilience
The Cowichan region is a region of community resilience. Here are some stories about how residents and organizations are building resilience across the region. These stories may provide useful insights and strategies that could be beneficial in your local area.
Learn More
To learn more about the information presented in this portal, visit:
- Visit the Emergency Management Cowichan website to stay informed.
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of emergencies in the region.
- Join a Neighbourhood Preparedness Team to help emergency response on the ground.
- Curious how to bring in this content into the classroom? Add the “Master of Disaster” program to your curriculum.
- Questions? Email general@emcowichan.ca for more information.
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