B.C. extends state of emergency in response to ‘worst-ever’ wildfire season

The B.C. government is extending its provincial state of emergency another two weeks to support the response to the “worst-ever” wildfire season.

The province said today more than 3,500 people are directly responding to the wildfires, including BC Wildfire Service staff, contractors, and crews from Mexico, South Africa, Australia, Ontario and the Canadian Armed Forces.

Wildfires continue to threaten regions across the province, with 4,200 people on evacuation order and nearly 65,000 on alert.

“While many people have returned home, tens of thousands of British Columbians remain under evacuation order or alert due to wildfires,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “We’re continually assessing the situation – which can evolve quickly – and will enact emergency orders to ensure the safety of people in our province as needed.”

B.C. first declared a state of emergency in response to unprecedented wildfire activity on Aug. 18.