Small B.C. Community Surrounded by Wildfires Faces Further Emergency Room Closures

Another temporary closure of the emergency department at 100 Mile District General Hospital is raising concerns as wildfires continue to affect the surrounding region.

The emergency room is closed from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and is expected to close during the same hours again on Sunday.

Patients requiring emergency treatment during those periods are being directed to Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake, approximately 95 kilometres away.

Mayor Says ER Closures Create Serious Challenges

100 Mile House Mayor Maureen Pinkney said there is never an appropriate time for an emergency room to be unavailable, particularly during the busy summer season.

She noted that the population served by the community can effectively double during the summer because of tourists, recreational visitors and relatives visiting local families.

The surrounding service population can increase from around 20,000 people to as many as 40,000 during peak periods.

Wildfires Make Travel to Williams Lake More Difficult

Concerns are especially high this year because several wildfires are burning across the region, while local hotels are also reportedly full.

Pinkney said directing patients to Williams Lake can be problematic because the journey takes about an hour even when road and weather conditions are favourable.

Residents travelling north may also have to pass through smoky areas and near another wildfire on the route to Williams Lake.

If wildfire conditions force a road closure, reaching alternative medical care could become even more complicated. Pinkney said patients might have to travel roughly two hours south, while closures near Clinton can require motorists to make additional detours through Highway 24.

The mayor said people are already dealing with stress caused by wildfire smoke and evacuation concerns, and difficulties accessing hospital services create another major burden.

36th ER Closure Recorded This Year

The latest disruption marks the 36th emergency room closure in 100 Mile House so far this year.

That represents an increase from the 27 closures recorded during 2025.

Pinkney described emergency care as an essential service that should remain available around the clock. However, she also acknowledged the staffing challenges involved, including the need for healthcare workers to take vacations and scheduled time off.

Council Previously Raised Issue With Provincial Government

Pinkney said the local council travelled to Victoria in November to discuss repeated ER closures with provincial ministers.

According to the mayor, the provincial government indicated that work was underway to address the problem, but she believes improvements are not happening quickly enough.

She said the combination of hospital closures, wildfires and road disruptions is particularly concerning because some residents within the service area already live as much as an hour away from 100 Mile House.

People may have to decide which direction to travel based on both emergency room availability and wildfire conditions, potentially leaving them with very limited options for accessing urgent medical treatment.

Residents Urged to Call 911 During Closures

Pinkney advised residents facing a medical emergency to call 911, even if they believe they may be able to transport themselves to another hospital.

She said additional paramedics are available during emergency room closures, making emergency services an important option when hospital access or road conditions become uncertain.

Repeated emergency room closures in 100 Mile House are creating growing concerns as wildfire activity complicates travel throughout the region.

With the latest closure bringing this year’s total to 36, local officials continue to call for a more reliable emergency healthcare service, particularly during periods when fires, smoke and road closures can make reaching another hospital difficult.