The province aims to keep communities safe from wildfires with several new measures, including an improved information website.
Earlier this week, the BC Wildfire service shared their seasonal outlook, where Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says because of the warm winter, the rain and snow they hoped for didn’t happen in many parts of the province this spring.
“The recent rain and moisture we’ve seen in some areas has helped, parts of the province are still set for a challenging wildfire season,” said Ralston.
“It’s important that everyone continues to be alert as conditions are expected to become warmer and drier throughout June and into July.”Ralston says there are currently 108 fires burning, with many people anxious this season after last year saw 2.84 million hectares burned by the wildfires.
New Measures
To make sure people are safe, the government is implementing multiple measures from the Premier’s expert task force of emergencies, including an Interac e-transfer option for people needing accommodation in an evacuation, and updating the EmergencyInfoBC website.
Another measure is an accommodation allowance of $200 per night, which gives you flexibility when choosing where to stay after an evacuation. This comes following recent evacuations from Fort Nelson.
Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma says experiencing evacuations this early is a reminder of how climate emergencies are affecting communities.
“We are experiencing longer droughts, earlier fire seasons and more extreme weather,” said Ma. “Persistent drought continues in many parts of the province, particularly in the North.”
Ma says businesses and people who have water licenses will receive letters about drought conditions, encouraging them to save water as we get through the summer.
She also recommends you make a personal emergency plan, grab what you need, and talk to your family about what you will do in the event of an evacuation.
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