
Residents of Juniper Ridge and Rose Hill are being urged to sign up for a self-driven tour of two official emergency evacuation routes on Saturday, July 26, as part of the City of Kamloops’ ongoing efforts to ensure community safety and preparedness.
The tours, scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., will give residents a chance to drive the Juniper East and Coldwater Drive emergency evacuation routes under city supervision. Participants must register in advance at Kamloops.ca/EvacuationRoutes, with registration closing at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24.
“These routes aren’t roads people drive every day—they’re gravel, gated, and cross private land,” said Ty Helgason, the City’s Emergency Preparedness Manager. “In an emergency, it’s easy to get disoriented. Driving these routes in advance helps ensure that, if the time ever comes, people know where to go and how to get out safely.”
The Juniper East route connects Kicking Horse Drive to Valleyview Drive, while the Coldwater Drive route exits via High Canada Place in Rose Hill. A city-led pilot vehicle will guide groups through the routes to maintain a safe speed and consistent path—mimicking the procedure that would be used during an actual evacuation.
Helgason emphasized the importance of advance preparation. “In most neighbourhoods, evacuation would happen on familiar streets. But these Juniper Ridge routes are gated and not commonly used,” he said. “People could easily take a wrong turn if they don’t know what to expect. This tour is a way for families to see it firsthand—how it starts, how it ends, and what the terrain is like.”
The city encourages residents to carpool with neighbours or family to reduce vehicle numbers. Only cars, SUVs, and trucks will be permitted on the tour; no ATVs or other off-road vehicles.
Although not a mock evacuation, the escorted tours offer residents a valuable opportunity to experience the routes and build confidence. They also allow city staff to test their emergency procedures and monitor route conditions.
Helgason noted that the city has taken steps to prepare the roads ahead of time. “They’ve been inspected and driven recently to make sure they’re in good condition, both for the tour and for real emergencies.”
This year’s event follows a similar effort in 2023 and is part of a broader strategy developed in the aftermath of the 2021 wildfire that threatened Juniper Ridge. As Kamloops sees continued residential growth, particularly in hillside neighbourhoods like Juniper, the city is actively working to map and plan evacuation routes across the entire community.
“It’s not just about getting people out,” said Helgason. “It’s also about making sure emergency responders can get in. That dual purpose is a key part of our planning moving forward.”
Residents who can’t attend the tour can view videos of the 2023 evacuation route drive-throughs (posted below).
Key Details:
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What: Juniper Ridge Emergency Evacuation Route Tours
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When: Saturday, July 26, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Where: Juniper East (Kicking Horse Dr. to Valleyview Dr.) & Coldwater Drive (to High Canada Place)
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How to Register: Visit here by July 24 at 2:00 p.m.
“This is an easy, important step residents can take to protect themselves and their families,” Helgason said. “We hope everyone in Juniper takes advantage of the opportunity.”