Campfire Ban and State of Emergency Declared in British Columbia

British Columbia has implemented a campfire ban throughout the province, excluding Haida Gwaii, and has declared a state of emergency for the Stikine Region in the northwest corner. B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Bowinn Ma, emphasized the presence of the climate crisis during a media briefing and urged everyone to contribute to the solution.

The state of emergency was established in the Stikine Region due to its unincorporated nature, allowing the province to allocate necessary resources in the area. However, Ma clarified that a state of emergency is not required for the rest of the province. The Wildfire Act empowers the province to implement measures to combat fires.

Currently, approximately 156 individuals are under evacuation orders, and 629 people are under evacuation alerts across British Columbia. Minister Ma also highlighted the severe drought conditions prevailing throughout the province, emphasizing their unprecedented nature.

Evacuation orders in central B.C. have been issued by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako near Smithers. The order applies to all properties west of the Telkwa River, accessed via Tatlow Road, due to the nearby Powers Creek wildfire. Discovered on Friday evening, the uncontrolled blaze spans 0.2 square kilometers (20 hectares) and is suspected to have been ignited by lightning. Evacuees are urged to gather essential items, including medication, wallets, and keys, and to turn off all gas and electrical appliances before leaving immediately. The Christian Reformed Church in Smithers is serving as the reception center for evacuees.

Another emergency operations center was established by the Township of Spallumcheen in the southern interior of B.C. As an out-of-control wildfire threatened the area, 18 properties were evacuated. The spike in wildfire activity across the province’s Interior is associated with lightning and extremely dry conditions. Spallumcheen, with a population of around 5,300, instructed individuals residing in properties east of Round Lake Road to evacuate promptly. Over a dozen properties on the west side of the road are on evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave with short notice. Emergency crews are on-site, and support from the B.C. Wildfire Service is en route. Evacuated property owners can access emergency support services at Spallumcheen’s municipal hall.

In addition, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako issued an evacuation alert for areas north of the Endako River accessed by Savory Road, due to the Tatin Lake wildfire. Residents in this region should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. The B.C. Wildfire Service reported 136 active fires on Friday, with the majority concentrated in the northeast of the province. Lightning caused 110 of the fires, human activity caused 19, and seven have unknown causes.