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/)
patphil
(9,136 posts)That's about the size of New York State.
Unbelievable.
Cheezoholic
(3,786 posts)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)My heart is with Canadians. Is there anything that can stop it?
BumRushDaShow
(170,666 posts)have been sent there (effort started back in May) - https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/news-releases/us-firefighters-continue-support-canada-during-record-breaking
They are at the mercy of the weather.
Bayard
(29,933 posts)So much of the country is forests. Going up in flames.
pandr32
(14,307 posts)I hope there are rescues for injured animals found. They must be suffering.
llashram
(6,269 posts)we're burning up...
electric_blue68
(26,980 posts)2naSalit
(103,287 posts)Good grief!
I hoe some rain from the hurricane reaches up there. Geeze.
Thunderbeast
(3,826 posts)Leave pre-historic carbon IN THE GROUND!