B.C. says provincial emergency declaration not needed yet

British Columbia has not declared a provincewide state of emergency despite worsening wildfire conditions over the B.C. Day long weekend, saying local emergency declarations already provide the powers needed on the ground.

Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Kelly Greene said every jurisdiction fighting a wildfire has a local state of emergency. A provincial declaration could enable measures such as travel restrictions, supply rationing and commandeering accommodation for evacuees, but Greene said those tools are not currently required.

As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, 37 evacuation orders affected about 8,000 people and 7,300 properties across the province, Greene said. Another 37 evacuation alerts covered about 7,100 people and 3,800 properties.

The Bradley Creek wildfire, discovered July 31, expanded rapidly during the weekend and swept through Okanagan Indian Band reserve land and the northwest shore of Okanagan Lake. The band said about 230 homes were destroyed.

B.C. Wildfire Service director Cliff Chapman warned that dry lightning later in the week could spark more fires in the Interior as hot, dry conditions return. He said decisions about firefighting resources are made by crews and local agencies on the ground, with responder safety a major concern during the 85-km/h sustained winds that drove the Bradley Creek fire.