The state of emergency enacted to support the provincial wildfire response will expire tomorrow (Sept. 14) at 11:59 p.m., based on advice from emergency management and wildfire officials.
Cooler seasonal weather and precipitation, combined with the hard work of firefighters to contain and extinguish fires, means the province can return to a standard emergency response, according to a media release from the provincial government.
While the provincial state of emergency is no longer required, wildfire season is not over.
“It is vital that the public remain prepared and follow the continued direction of local authorities. The province will continue to take every action necessary to respond to the ongoing wildfire situation and support the recovery of affected communities,” reads the release.
The state of emergency was declared on July 20 to ensure a co-ordinated response to wildfire activity and was extended three times over the weeks that followed.
There are 205 wildfires burning in B.C., with three evacuation orders affecting around 223 properties and 12 evacuation alerts affecting about 254 properties. Overall this year, 1,585 fires burned 868,619 hectares in the province, according to the release.
At the height of the wildfire situation, 3,631 personnel were helping fight the fires, including support from Mexico, Australia and across Canada. Approximately 32,000 people were displaced, and 19,807 people registered with Emergency Support Services, according to the province.
