Important Notices:
For up-to-date information on road closures or wildfires, visit Emergency Info BC.
Whether this is your first time exploring the Gold Rush Trail or one of many visits, the natural elements and historical significance of this area are as powerful as always. This is, after all, history shaped by nature through one of BC’s best adventure corridors.
Part of maximizing your experience for Gold Rush Trail travel is ensuring you are prepared to travel safe and responsibly. Use the following resources for trip planning before your departure and to keep informed on ongoing events.
Plan ahead
Before travelling to the region, please check DriveBC or call their information line at 1-800-550-4997 for an updated list of the latest highway conditions and advisories. More information about travel advisories.
Always call in advance if you are planning your overnight accommodations or activities the day of. Contact local visitor centers and businesses directly before your departure to confirm details relevant to your trip.
Access, Egress, Closures, Evacuation Alerts, and Orders
In British Columbia, hazards that are deemed a threat to public safety may cause evacuation notices to be issued. These notifications come in two forms: alerts and orders.
When hazards arise that may threaten public safety, it is sometimes necessary to issue evacuation notices. In British Columbia, these notifications come in two forms: alerts and orders.
Evacuation Alerts are issued when there is a hazard that may develop into a threat to public safety. They are an advance warning of a potential evacuation. You are not required to evacuate an area under an evacuation alert, but you should be ready to if the alert gets upgraded. Make sure you know where everyone in your party is and have a plan to evacuate if needed.
Evacuation Orders are issued when there is an imminent threat to public safety. When an evacuation order is issued for an area, everyone in that area must leave immediately. Evacuation orders are always issued with a defined evacuation route; you should take this route if possible. If you are unable to evacuate an area that has been placed under an evacuation order, please contact the local authority that issued it for assistance.
Evacuation notices are posted by their respective local authorities. Along the Gold Rush Trail, these are:
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
Thompson-Nicola Regional District
Fraser Valley Regional District
Metro Vancouver Regional District
Emergency Information
Emergency Info BC is a provincial resource for information on ongoing emergency situations. Community-specific questions should be directed to the respective region’s local government.
Wildfire Safety
Wildfires are a natural, seasonal event in many of British Columbia’s ecosystems. The British Columbia Wildfire Service manages wildfire response throughout the province, and also provides information on current wildfire events. For information on current wildfires, fire danger ratings and air quality, visit the BC Wildfire Service website or call the information line at 1-888-336-7378.
You can also view information on current fire bans and restrictions.
If you see a wildfire starting, please report it to the BC Wildfire Service by calling 1-800-663-5555 or text *5555 from a cellphone.
Additional Information Sources
British Columbia Community Visitor Centres have staff that can help you with trip planning information, alternative routes and local recommendations.
BC Parks offers information regarding provincial campground and park restrictions, closures and conditions.
Recreation Sites & Trails BC offers alerts, closures and conditions regarding BC’s classic campsites and recreational trail systems.
