B.C. declares rare state of emergency as wildfires multiply
loading video...Sunday, July 9, 2017, 9:18 AM
British Columbia has declared a state of emergency as more than 128 active wildfires — each at least 10 acres in size — are forcing thousands from their homes.
B.C.'s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone announced the state of emergency Friday evening — the first case of its kind since 2003.
Evacuation alerts and orders have been issued for Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Alexis Creek, Hanceville, and Princeton, among others on the growing list, in addition to those issued on Friday for 105 Mile House and 108 Mile House.
"This is an urgent situation and public safety is the top priority," a press release from B.C.'s provincial government reads. "The Province will continue to keep the public informed in this rapidly evolving situation."
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Numerous dangerous wildfires continue to burn
The state of emergency comes days after the Harrison Lake wildfire — which doubled in size over the Canada Day long weekend — scorched more than 150 hectares of land. The human-caused fire prompted an air quality alert for Metro Vancouver on Thursday.
As of Sunday, the largest wildfire is in and around Hanceville, B.C. (roughly 60 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake), where an estimated 100,000 hectares of land are on fire, the product of multiple blazes occurring at once. These fires are zero per cent contained.
Several other wildfires of note continue to burn in three of B.C.'s six fire centres: Cariboo, Coastal, and Kamloops.
Following the Harrison Lake wildfire was the Gustafsen Fire, first reported on Thursday. The fire continues to spread, spanning about 3,200 hectares of land.
Image courtesy of BC Wildfire Service.
WATCH BELOW: Sirens sound and smoke builds in British Columbia during evacuations
High heat, dry conditions fuel wildfire threat
A ridge of high pressure over Western Canada is sustaining hot, desert air from the U.S. throughout the Prairies and B.C. The warmth, coupled with a lack of rain for southern B.C., is contributing to the fire danger risk across the province.
Special weather statements remain in place for southern sections of B.C., including the southern Interior and Fraser Valley, stretching up to Cariboo, as temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s continue.
A number of road closures are also in place including, Highway 1 in both directions between Ashcroft and Cache Creek and Highway 97C through Ashcroft, according to Drive BC. Additionally, the Coastal Fire Centre issued an open-fire ban which is expected to continue through the fall season.
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