Given the current wildfire situation and the expected increase in wildfire activity, the Province of BC is taking the extraordinary measure of declaring a provincial state of emergency.
Todd Stone, BC's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure has announced a provincial state of emergency "to ensure a coordinated response to the current wildfire situation and to ensure public safety."
With 138 new wildfires springing up yesterday alone, Stone says they are "taking this extraordinary measure of declaring a provincial state of emergency."
The extended weather forecast is calling for continued hot, dry weather, with risks of thunderstorms in many parts of the province.
This is an urgent situation and public safety is the top priority. The Province will continue to keep the public informed in this rapidly evolving situation.
The state of emergency gives agencies such as Emergency Management BC, the Fire Commissioner, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the RCMP authority under the Emergency Program Act to take every action necessary to fight these wildfires and protect residents and their communities.
Declarations of provincial states of emergency are issued by the minister responsible under the Emergency Program Act.
The last provincial declaration of state of emergency was issued in August 2003 to deal with wildfires.