B.C. Provincial state of emergency extended due to wildfires

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The state of emergency that was declared due to raging wildfires has once again been extended.

The state of emergency has been extended until the end of the day on August 18.

“The state of emergency declaration will continue to apply to the whole province. This ensures that federal, provincial and local resources can be delivered in a co-ordinated response to the wildfire situation and continue to ensure public safety, which remains the provincial government’s top priority.”

The province also says they will still maintain support for evacuees by providing $600-per-household funding, which will be renewed every 14 days until evacuees return home.

As of 9:00 a.m. on Friday morning, there were 122 wildfires burning in B.C. As of 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, there were 25 evacuation orders affecting approximately 7,127 individuals, plus 42 evacuation alerts impacting approximately 24,957 people.