Nearly 550 wildfires are burning across British Columbia. Over 3,000 people are currently displaced and another 18,720 could be expected to evacuate at any given moment.
The BC Government has declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfires sweeping British Columbia. As of August 20, 2018, more than 3,000 Canadians have been displaced from their homes and there are 54 active fires that threaten people and property.
August 15, 2018State of Emergency Declared
3,050 People Displaced
545 Active Wildfires as of August 20
On August 15th, British Columbia declared a state of emergency as wildfires across the province continue to burn. As of August 20th, nearly 550 wildfires rage throughout the province. There are over 3,000 people displaced, while evacuation orders are expected to force over 18,000 more out of their homes.
Displaced Canadians need immediate support to help whether it’s temporary shelter, food, clothing or family reunification support. While it’s too early to estimate the extent of loss and property damage, funds will be required to help individuals and communities with long-term recovery.
The thick smoke that’s blanketed much of B.C. in recent days has grounded firefighting aircraft and made it difficult to detect new wildfires, officials say. Kyla Fraser, a public information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said that despite a relatively lightning-free weekend with few new fire starts, firefighters continue to be extremely busy battling about 545 wildfires. Air quality concerns across B.C. as wildfire
Wildfire smoke is visible from NASA’s DSCOVR satellite, about 1.6 million kilometres away from the fires.
The thick smoke that’s blanketed much of B.C. in recent days has grounded firefighting aircraft and made it difficult to detect new wildfires, officials say.
Kyla Fraser, a public information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said that despite a relatively lightning-free weekend with few new fire starts, firefighters continue to be extremely busy battling about 545 wildfires.
Air quality concerns across B.C. as wildfire smoke blankets province
The smoke that’s choked the sky in many communities isn’t making things any easier for crews.
“We have had to ground aircraft in some instances just because visibility was too poor, unsafe to fly,” Fraser told CBC. “Smoky conditions also can pose a problem with detection and discovering new wildfires.”