British Columbia declares provincial state of emergency as wildfires grow
More than 100 wildfires are burning and almost half are out of control, officials said, as emergency powers allow rapid evacuations and lodging orders.
- On Saturday, British Columbia Premier David Eby declared a provincial state of emergency after a ferocious wildfire forced 20,000 people to evacuate two communities along Okanagan Lake.
- The Bald Range wildfire grew to about 9,500 hectares, burning out of control as hot, windy weather and long-standing drought conditions fueled the rapid spread.
- Summerland, home to about 12,000 residents, and Peachland, with about 6,500, lost power and issued boil water notices. Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes said, "We have to brace ourselves for the worst."
- Prime Minister Mark Carney said the federal government "stands ready to help and support the Government of British Columbia." Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene invoked emergency powers to restrict travel and commandeer accommodations.
- Over 100 wildfires are burning across British Columbia, contributing to 4 million hectares burned in Canada this year. Firefighters from Mexico, Australia, France, and New Zealand are assisting provincial crews.
66 Articles
66 Articles
More than 20,000 people were evacuated on Friday to British Columbia (Western Canada) because of a rapidly spreading major vegetation fire, the authorities announced on Saturday, declaring a state of emergency, reports AFP.
More than 20,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes due to the fires.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung
Thousands of people have to leave their homes, entire places are evacuated: forest fires are spreading rapidly in British Columbia. Now the provincial government has declared an emergency.
In the Canadian province of British Columbia, the authorities have declared an emergency because of numerous forest fires.
Algemeen Dagblad
A state of emergency has been declared in the western Canadian province of British Columbia due to the wildfires raging there. More than 20,000 people in the province have been evacuated.
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