British Columbians should consider flood and emergency conditions while planning summer holidays, outdoor activities and Canada Day celebrations.

Emergency Management BC (EMBC) has shipped 400 metres of gabion baskets to the District of Hope to dike low-lying areas of the Fraser River today.

Using powers granted under the Environmental Management Act, Environment Minister Terry Lake has issued an environmental emergency declaration to mobilize resources and equipment to deal as soon as possible with improperly secured vessels on a property along the Fraser River near Mission.

While over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water, the next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters.

Co-operative agreements and interjurisdictional partnerships have ensured resources and technical expertise to assist in emergency response efforts to flooding said Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of the man who died when a bridge on which he was standing was swept away by flood waters on June 23, 2012.

The province continues to urge residents to evacuate when emergency officials request it.

The Yukon has requested firefighting assistance from British Columbia due to an increase in wildfire activity there, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced.

Local authorities are the legislated lead in an emergency, but the B.C. government provides assistance through Emergency Management BC's (EMBC) co-ordination role that helps communities connect with the resources they need.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond released the following statement on emergency preparedness to deal with current flood conditions facing several regions of B.C.