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BumRushDaShow

(170,666 posts)
Sat Aug 19, 2023, 10:45 AM Aug 2023

A state of emergency has been declared in B.C. due to wildfires. Here's what that means

Source: CBC

The British Columbia government has declared a provincial state of emergency as threatening wildfires force thousands to evacuate from homes in the Okanagan in the southern Interior and elsewhere. Premier David Eby announced the state of emergency at a Friday press conference, saying the wildfire situation in B.C. has "evolved and deteriorated'' rapidly.

Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says the number of people under evacuation order in B.C. went from 4,500 to 15,000 in a matter of an hour. A further 20,000 people are under evacuation alert.

Eby said declaring a state of emergency "enables a number of legal tools for us to issue specific orders and to ensure that resources are available."

In a statement, the provincial government said a state of emergency lets the province enact emergency orders, which could include travel restrictions if people fail to heed calls to avoid non-essential travel to the central Interior and southeastern B.C.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/state-of-emergency-in-bc-due-to-wildfires-heres-what-it-means-1.6941476



Damn. This is in addition to the Northwest Territories (where the capital there - Yellowknife - and areas nearby are being evacuated) and earlier this summer, Alberta was (and probably still is) on fire. Similarly over here on the east with Quebec & Ontario.



(as of 8/17/23 from here - https://racinecountyeye.com/2023/08/17/canadian-wildfire-2023-impact/)
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A state of emergency has been declared in B.C. due to wildfires. Here's what that means (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Aug 2023 OP
about 34 million acres have burned so far in Canada this year. patphil Aug 2023 #1
I read its already double the previous record over a whole year Cheezoholic Aug 2023 #7
I can't even grasp the scale of loss mahina Aug 2023 #2
I know fire-fighting resources in the CONUS BumRushDaShow Aug 2023 #4
Heart breaking.... Bayard Aug 2023 #3
This has to be devastating for wildlife. pandr32 Aug 2023 #5
wow llashram Aug 2023 #6
Geeeebz! Horrific! electric_blue68 Aug 2023 #8
Canada is burning down all at once! 2naSalit Aug 2023 #9
Here's a idea.... Thunderbeast Aug 2023 #10

patphil

(9,136 posts)
1. about 34 million acres have burned so far in Canada this year.
Sat Aug 19, 2023, 11:23 AM
Aug 2023

That's about the size of New York State.
Unbelievable.

Cheezoholic

(3,786 posts)
7. I read its already double the previous record over a whole year
Sat Aug 19, 2023, 01:45 PM
Aug 2023

1989 I believe, might be wrong. Regardless it's massive, 53k sq. miles estimated so far. I hope this isn't foreshadowing the approaching fire season out west.

mahina

(20,684 posts)
2. I can't even grasp the scale of loss
Sat Aug 19, 2023, 11:43 AM
Aug 2023

My heart is with Canadians. Is there anything that can stop it?

pandr32

(14,307 posts)
5. This has to be devastating for wildlife.
Sat Aug 19, 2023, 12:26 PM
Aug 2023

I hope there are rescues for injured animals found. They must be suffering.

2naSalit

(103,287 posts)
9. Canada is burning down all at once!
Sat Aug 19, 2023, 04:24 PM
Aug 2023

Good grief!

I hoe some rain from the hurricane reaches up there. Geeze.

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