Thanks to cooler weather and progress in containing wildfires, the Government of British Columbia has decided to cancel the provincial state of emergency that currently covers the entire province.

The improved weather outlook means wildfire resources can be best positioned on the remaining fires.

The state of emergency was declared on Aug. 15, 2018 and extended once. This past week, there was a significant reduction in the number of properties under evacuation order and many residents are now returning home. As such, the Province has decided that the powers granted under a provincial state of emergency are no longer required.

The provincial state of emergency was an extraordinary measure taken to ensure public safety and the co-ordinated response to this summer’s wildfire season, which has seen more than 1.3 million hectares burned to date. Given the weather forecast and the efforts of BC Wildfire Service personnel — along with local authorities, First Nations and federal partners — to contain and extinguish fires, the Province is now in a position to end the state of emergency and return to a standard emergency response posture. The Province can declare a provincial state of emergency at any time as needed.

While the extraordinary powers of the provincial state of emergency are no longer required, the wildfire situation is not over. It is vital that the public remains prepared and follows the continued direction of local governments.

As of this morning, 485 wildfires are burning in B.C., with 19 evacuation orders affecting approximately 1,994 individuals, plus 39 evacuation alerts affecting approximately 4,848 people.

The Province will continue to take every action necessary to respond to the ongoing wildfire situation and support the recovery of affected communities.

Quick Facts:

• Declarations of provincial states of emergency are issued by the minister responsible under the Emergency Program Act and extended by Order in Council.
• The last provincial state of emergency was issued during the 2017 wildfire season, from July 7 to Sept. 15.
• The last declared state of emergency before the 2017 wildfire season was issued in August 2003, to deal with wildfires.

Learn More:

For information on evacuation orders and alerts, visit Emergency Info BC: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/

Keep up-to-date on the provincial wildfire situation: www.bcwildfire.ca

For information on how to prepare for an emergency, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC