BC declares state of emergency due to wildfires

British Columbia's public safety minister is declaring a provincial state of emergency over the growing wildfire threat to prepare for potential mass evacuations and help secure accommodation that might be needed by evacuees.

We have declared a provincial state of emergency in response to the increasingly severe wildfire situation in BC. It’s all-hands-on-deck to support communities, and we’ll continue using all available resources to protect people. https://t.co/lgZ4jLJEvo #BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/yzoUXUV82a

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) July 20, 2021

Mike Farnworth said he made the decision based on information from officials that weather conditions will lead to more severe fire behaviour and the potential for more evacuations, citing the weather in British Columbia's Interior region in particular.

"In a briefing last night, I received word that we'll be facing a few days of very difficult weather in the Interior," Farnworth said in a statement.

The state of emergency goes into effect on Wednesday and gives government agencies, the fire commissioner and the RCMP the authority to take whatever action they deem is necessary to fight the wildfires and protect people and communities.

Farnworth said he wants to assure B.C. residents that the province is deploying all available personnel and equipment to fight the fires.

“We have reached a critical point," he told a news conference.

Join Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, along with officials from BC Wildfire, Emergency Management BC, RCMP and public health for an update on the current wildfire situation in British Columbia. https://t.co/FK403J1sbB

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) July 20, 2021

Nearly 300 fires were burning across the province on Tuesday, including several of them that were encroaching on communities that have issued evacuation orders or alerts.

The government said 40 evacuation orders affected about 5,700 people or almost 2,900 properties in the province. There were also 69 evacuation alerts affecting just under 33,000 people and about 16,000 properties. The alerts tell people they should be ready to flee their homes on short notice.

Continued hot and dry conditions are forecasted, with heightened wind activity in the Interior and southeastern B.C., the provincial government said.