State of emergency extended as crews continue to battle wildfires in BC

KAMLOOPS (NEWS 1130) – The provincial government has decided to extend a state of emergency declared early in July due to raging wildfires in BC.

Fires continue to devastate several areas of the interior and southern province, forcing thousands of people to be displaced.

This is the second time Premier John Horgan has had to extend the state of emergency, which will now run until August 18th.

The measure ensures the delivery of federal, provincial and local resources are co-ordinated and public safety is maintained.

Chief Fire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek with the BC Wildfire Service says the situation created by the Elephant Hill fire is the most concerning in the province right now.

“On this fire right now, we’ve got 446 firefighters, an incident management team, 97 structural protection personnel from the office of the Fire Commissioner, 86 support staff, 21 helicopters and over 100 pieces of heavy equipment.”

Crews battling aggressive wildfires have been faced with hot weather and difficult conditions, and Skrepnek adds a change in the weather pattern is coming.

“Monday to Wednesday of next week, sunny conditions are expected to persist but we are seeing a more real threat of thundershowers in the south,” Skrepnek explains. “Now that is going to bring some rain with it –potentially, with those thundershowers– but of course they’re also going to bring lightning.”

With so many fires burning across the province, Skrepnek says BC’s equipment has been spread thin, and the wildfire service has had to borrow from other agencies.

“Pumps and hoses and equipment broadly is something that is becoming a critical resources. We’re having to bring in additional equipment from partner agencies so obviously theft of equipment in any situation is reprehensible but especially with what we’re dealing with right now.”

The RCMP are investigating a number of thefts and acts of mischief related to fire suppression, including incidents targeting local stations and trucks.

Liberal MLAs raise concerns about leadership

Some of BC’s Liberal MLAs are raising concerns about the NDP’s leadership, communication and direction when it comes to dealing with the wildfire situation.

“These devastating wildfires have deeply impacted huge areas of our province and I know how important it is to have access to up-to-the-minute information from our government,” says MLA John Rustad in a release.

The opposition critic for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Rustad claims the minister in charge hasn’t taken the time to travel to the areas ravaged by fires.

“I would like to invite NDP Minister Doug Donaldson to take the time to visit all affected areas to see firsthand the people who have been at the centre of these devastating wildfires.”

Meanwhile, Cariboo-Chilcotin Liberal MLA Donna Barnett claims the provincial government is not putting enough resources on fighting fires which continue to grow heading into this weekend.

“There’s equipment sitting in gravel pitts on standby when ranchers are out there fighting fires. We need the minister to throw more contract resources at these fires”

This comes as more evacuation alerts have been extended to areas from Anahim Lake to Nimpo Lake where the fire in Tweedsmuir Park is growing again.

Air quality and special weather statements

Meanwhile, the smoke from interior wildfires continues to linger in much of the province, including in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Though the poor air quality has led to an increase in treatments for asthmatics, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonny Henry says there’s no evidence as to the smoke affecting you in the long-run.

“We have no evidence that there’s long-term medical effects like cancers and other effects from this type of short-term exposure so people can be a little reassured by that,” says Henry.

However, she admits the province hasn’t been tracking any information on the more serious health scares.

“We don’t have any way of knowing, but we expect that there are people who have required medical assistance because of the smoke.”

An air quality advisory remain in effect for the region, and it’s unclear how long smoke from the interior wildfires will affect Metro Vancouver’s skies.

According to Environment Canada, the situation could persist for quite some time.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have much to offer other than make some travel plans possibly,” explains Jennifer Hay from Environment Canada. “The overall pattern isn’t changing at all. It’s here to stay for at least a week. As long as the fires are burning, and the ridge is with us, we’re not going to be seeing much change.”

You’re being encouraged to limit strenuous activities outside, particularly during mid-afternoon and early evening when ozone levels are the highest.

The last time an alert of this kind was issued in Metro Vancouver was 2015.

You can check air quality levels here.

As for those in areas where conditions are hot and dry, the province is urging you to be aware of all bans and rules in place to limit more flames.