BC state of emergency lifts while threat of wildfires remains

The state of emergency declared by the BC government earlier this month has officially been lifted. 

The Province initiated the state of emergency on August 8th, following evacuation orders prompting the evacuation of over 20,000 British Columbians. 

Most evacuees were residents of the Summerland area in the southern Okanagan region where the Bald Range wildfire still burns. 

The Province says the decision to initiate the state of emergency followed advice from emergency management officials.

While in place, the state of emergency enacted emergency powers and other tools that could be made available quickly if needed. 

Ultimately, the Province did not need to use those emergency powers.

The Province noted that the cancellation of the state of emergency has no effect on current evacuation orders, evacuation alerts or local states of emergencies put in place by local governments or First Nations in regions impacted by wildfires. 

Although the state of emergency has ended, the BC government warns residents and visitors that wildfire risk remains elevated in many parts of the province. This risk is due to ongoing warm and dry conditions. 

The Province says it will continue to monitor the situation and can declare a new state of emergency if need be.

British Columbians are encouraged to remain prepared and stay alert to changing wildfire conditions.

As of this publication, there are 209 active wildfires throughout the province. On Vancouver Island, there are 18 wildfires, though only three are deemed to be ‘out of control’ by the BC Wildfire Service.