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B.C. declares a state of emergency because of wildfires

The B.C. government has declared a provincial state of emergency as hundreds of wildfires burn across the province.
Nanaimo Lakes wildfire
The Nanaimo Lakes wildfire in 2018. Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service on Twitter.

The B.C. government has declared a provincial state of emergency as hundreds of wildfires burn across the province.

“As wildfire activity is expected to increase, this is a progressive step in our wildfire response to make sure British Columbia has access to any and all resources necessary,” said Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general.

As of Tuesday, 566 wildfires were burning in B.C., with 29 evacuation orders affecting about 3,050 people or 1,521 properties, in addition to 48 evacuation alerts affecting about 18,720 people or 9,359 properties.

“Taking this step will further ensure we can protect the public, property and infrastructure, and assist with firefighting efforts,” Farnworth said in a statement Wednesday morning.

Farnworth said he based the declaration on a recommendation from B.C.’s wildfire and emergency management officials. The state of emergency will allow a co-ordinated response from federal, provincial and local governments, says the province.

The state of emergency is in effect for 14 days, but can be extended or rescinded.

At least 35 new wildfires were triggered by lightning on northern Vancouver Island over the weekend.

The extended weather forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions, with risk of thunderstorms in some parts of the province.

More than 3,370 firefighters and contractors are fighting fires in all fire regions of the province.

This firefighting includes 1,427 B.C. contract personnel, as well as 436 out-of-province personnel from Alberta, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Parks Canada, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand, says the province.

Over the next few days, federal government personnel and resources will arrive in B.C. to help fight the wildfires, says the province.

The unpredictable behaviour of wildfires and the number of significant wildfires throughout the province requires additional resources, said Forests Minister Doug Donaldson. British Columbians are being asked to follow burning bans and restrictions, he said.

During the 2017 wildfire season, the province was in a provincial state of emergency for 10 weeks, from July 7 to Sept. 15. Before that, the last provincial declaration of state of emergency was issued in August 2003, to deal with wildfires.

For information on evacuation orders and alerts, visit Emergency Info BC: emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/. Keep up to date on the provincial wildfire situation: bcwildfire.ca.

ceharnett@timescolonist.com

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