Canada's Westernmost Province Declares Wildfires Emergency
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published August 16, 2018 | 01:57 AM
Ottawa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Aug, 2018 ) :British Columbia declared a province-wide state of emergency Wednesday as Canada's military joined firefighters in trying to douse 556 wildfires burning across the craggy region.
The province's public safety minister, Mike Farnworth, said the measure -- which allows for officials to take "every action necessary" to protect the public -- would be in effect for 14 days.
It is only the second time in more than a decade that it has been used, after a record fire season last year that blackened vast tracts of forest and prompted record numbers of residents to evacuate.
"Public safety is always our first priority and, as wildfire activity is expected to increase, this is a progressive step in our wildfire response to make sure British Columbia has access to any and all resources necessary," Farnworth said in a statement.
As of Tuesday, there were 566 wildfires burning in British Columbia, and 77 evacuation orders or alerts affecting nearly 22,000 people and 11,000 properties.
Cities from Vancouver on the Pacific coast to Winnipeg in the Prairies region about 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) to the east were blanketed with smoke from the fires.
Nearly 3,400 firefighters, including from Australia, Mexico and New Zealand, are battling the flames.
On Monday, the British Columbia government formally requested help from the Federal government, which responded by sending 200 troops as well as military aircraft to help contain and "mop up" the wildfires.
"We are challenged with the number of fires in the province," British Columbia Forests Minister Doug Donaldson told public broadcaster CBC.
"It's across the entire province unlike last year where it was concentrated," he explained.
Across Canada, hot and dry weather has fueled a number of wildfires. In July, an indigenous man died while helping to suppress forest fires in Ontario province.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rawalpindi woman gives birth to six babies
Kenya Army Chief Francis Ogola among nine others who died in Helicopter crash
Saudi FM’s visit positive, constructive one: FO
Hania enjoys vacations in London
IMF Officials assure support to Pakistan’s economy
Naqvi directs foolproof measures for protection of Chinese nationals
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
More Stories From World
-
Eight killed in Russian strikes
4 seconds ago -
Nagelsmann commits to German team ahead of home Euros
20 minutes ago -
Remote Indonesia volcano erupts again after thousands evacuated
20 minutes ago -
Kenya Army Chief Francis Ogola among nine others who died in Helicopter crash
30 minutes ago -
Migrant rescuers vindicated after Italy court drops trafficking charges
40 minutes ago -
Oil prices briefly surge, stocks slide on Iran blasts
40 minutes ago
-
G7 opposes 'full scale military operation in Rafah'
50 minutes ago -
Oil jumps, equities fall
60 minutes ago -
'All-or-nothing' Norris takes sprint pole in rain chaos at Chinese GP
1 hour ago -
G7 vows to bolster Ukraine's air defence
1 hour ago -
G7 asks 'all parties' to prevent further Middle East escalation
1 hour ago -
S. Korea govt offers first compromise in effort to end doctors' strike
1 hour ago