B.C. has extended its state of emergency rule
The province expects strong winds to fan wildfires in the northeast.
B.C. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says the province will extend its state of emergency as wildfires continue to rage. Earlier this week, the Northwest Territories did the same. Wind gusts of up to 60 km/h, heat and drought are expected to increase fire activity.
Ma announced a two-week extension of the state of emergency on Thursday when she gave an update on the drought and wildfires in British Columbia. The decision was made despite general improvement in the southern parts of the province, where rains have helped ease wildfire activity slightly. The province's state of emergency was initially declared Aug. 18. It gives B.C. services expanded powers to respond to natural disasters, including wildfires.
While the situation is slowly getting better in the south, firefighters in northeastern B.C. are expecting strong winds that could intensify wildfires near the municipalities of Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Chetwynd and Dawson Creek. No rain is expected in the north.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather advisory for northeastern B.C. for gusty winds Thursday into Saturday. It says west and southwest winds of 40 km/h and gusts up to 60 km/h from southeast Yukon will move into northeast B.C. by Friday morning. In addition to fanning already burning wildfires, the winds could also affect air quality by carrying smoke from the fires far and wide, as well as creating hazards such as breaking trees.
The British Columbia Wildfire Service (BCWS) has also issued a statement asking locals to be alert and cautious as high winds develop. The BCWS has also shifted resources north to prepare to fight back against wildfires that are likely to become more active.
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