Friday August 18, 2023 | VANCOUVER, BC [Last updated August 19, 2023]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
This Friday night, Premier David Eby called a media announcement session for 6:15 pm. He and Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Bowinn Ma, to provide an important update on the wildfire situation in B.C.
Fires have been burning across for BC for months under conditions of continued drought (extended from. But tonight the situation in Kelowna has become serious, in just the last few hours due to a sudden cooling in weather.
“Given these fast-moving conditions, the Province of British Columbia is declaring a provincial state of emergency, under the authority of the Emergency Program Act, to ensure we are in a position to rapidly access any tools we need to support communities as the situation evolves,” it was announced this evening by the Premier.
Yes, the government has adjusted their response to the rapid change of the wildfire situation (winds brought in by cooler temperatures, which have literally fanned the flames). It’s important to note that politicians rely on weather assessments by wildfire officials in composing their advice. As well, weather forecasting is not an exact science. Weather can still be unpredictable, including the factors of ‘wildfire weather’ given the ‘new way of fire’ that jumps water and roads).
Don’t travel to wildfire areas:
Tourists and travellers are to “take this situation seriously”, said Minister Ma, so that accommodations are available to people who are being evacuated from their homes. Premier Eby urges people to open their homes to friends or family who might need accommodations, in order to keep as much accommodation open to evacuees as possible.
“A provincial state of emergency allows the Province to enact emergency orders. Emergency orders could include travel restrictions to specific areas if people do not respect our calls to avoid non-essential travel to the central Interior and southeastern B.C.
[See tonight’s August 18, 2023 BC Government Wildfire State of Emergency News Release]
Evacuation orders and alerts:
Currently there are 15,000 people under evacuation orders. That’s up for 4,500 just earlier today. As well, 20,000 people are under evacuation alert.
People across BC are asked to stay alert and be prepared for evacuation warnings and alerts.
Have your grab and go kit ready, says Ma. “Pay attention to those alerts, it will save lives, and will help out first responders on the ground,” she said this evening.
Silver lining:
Premier Eby identified a silver lining as being that “under stressful times, British Columbians rise to the occasion”, that people are compassionate and resourceful.
Other resources:
The State of Emergency can allow government access to accommodation, fire services, heavy equipment and other resources as required for the front lines.
“We are having enormous cooperation around all corners of the province. But given the rapidly evolving situation that we now find ourselves in, we want to be ready to use them (extraordinary powers) at a moment’s notice.
Director of Provincial Operations for BC Wildfire Service, Cliff Chapman, pointed out that there is already the authority in place to request national and international resources — which has been happening for a few months now during this unprecedented wildfire season.
Thanks to firefighters:
Premier Eby delivered his thanks to wildfire firefighters this evening “who have left your families behind”.
“We know you’re putting yourself at risk,” said Eby, adding his thanks in particular to these personnel “for what we’re going to ask you to do over the next couple of days”.
Cold front creates unpredictable weather patterns:
“The cold front will continue to cause unpredictable weather patterns that will make firefighting very challenging,” said Ma.
Weather became cooler today, following four or five days of extreme heat this week. BC Wildifre Service was aware of the potential for this forecasted weather change to have wildfire impacts (as stated in yesterday’s August 17 wildfire update), and that has indeed turned out to be the case.
“The speed from potential threat to imminent threat” was described by Ma as “very concerning’. Even wildfire fighter camps are being evacuated as they are actively fighting wildfires. “There is acute need for accommodation in these areas.”
Be prepared:
Director of Provincial Operations for BC Wildfire Service, Cliff Chapman, said this evening that “it isn’t about worrying, it’s about being prepared”. “If you’re ready and prepared you will be calm,” said Chapman. “It has been excellent cooperation from the majority of the province” up until now, said Chapman.
People are to follow instructions from local governments and First Nations governments.
===== RELATED:
BC preparing for extreme fire conditions & accepting NWT evacuees (August 17, 2023)