Due to the ongoing threat of wildfires to communities and citizens, many communities around British Columbia have been put on evacuation order or evacuation alert, and the Province is asking people to be prepared.

The B.C. government has provided more than $4.5 million in grants to 31 local governments and First Nations in the Kamloops Fire Centre to support wildfire risk reduction initiatives and help keep communities safe.

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has issued the following statement on the 10-year anniversary of the line-of-duty passing of Sheilah Sweatman, ground search-and-rescue volunteer:

With the 2021 wildfire season well underway, the B.C. government has stepped up with more than $20 million to reduce risks around communities and support new research into predicting wildfire activity.

With many British Columbians planning to spend Canada Day outdoors, the B.C. government is encouraging everyone to exercise caution with fire use and help prevent human-caused wildfires that could threaten communities.

Five public safety lifeline volunteers are being recognized for their exceptional contributions to emergency and disaster response throughout the province.

As the weather continues to warm up in many parts of the province, British Columbians are being urged to do their part to prevent human-caused wildfires and help keep communities safe.

Thanks to a $7.5 million top up to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), seven more local governments and First Nations communities have had structural flood mitigation projects approved, helping them reduce the impacts of flooding.