B.C.’s state of emergency comes to end

The B.C. government is ending its wildfire-related provincial state of emergency today in a season that has seen thousands of residents evacuated.

The province says the wildfire season is not over, with over 200 fires still active, and the public needs to remain prepared and follow the direction of local authorities.

The state of emergency was declared on July 20 and will expire at 11:59 p.m.

At the height of the summer, 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.

As of this morning, 207 wildfires were burning in B.C. — 57 in the Kamloops Fire Centre — with three evacuation orders still in place affecting about 223 properties.

There is only one ‘Wildfire of Note’ in B.C. which is the White Rock Lake wildfire, west of Vernon, which is now listed as ‘being held’ and not ‘under control’ (see related story here).

(With files from The Canadian Press)