The province declared a state of emergency on Wednesday morning, citing the more than 500 wildfires burning across B.C. as of Aug. 14.
The more than 560 wildfires have sparked 29 evacuation orders affecting more than 3,000 people, and 48 evacuation alerts affecting almost 19,000 people.
Including this year, there have been four total states of emergency issued due to wildfires: 1996, 2003, 2017 and 2018.
Since, BC Wildfire chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek said that $214 million has been spent to fight 1,821 fires that have burned up 381,000 hectares of B.C. forests.
That香蕉视频直播檚 $118 million less than this time last year, Skrepnek noted.
More than 3,372 firefighters are working around B.C., including 436 personnel from other provinces, Parks Canada, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand.
The fires show no signs of abating, the province noted, as the forecast calls for hot and dry weather, as well as lightning, for much of B.C.
. talking about the complexities of fighting interface fires.
香蕉视频直播� Kat Slepian (@katslepian)
"There's concerns about how we operate around infrastructure" + people.
"This cluster of fires in the central part of the province is definitely a priority for us."
On Monday, federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said Ottawa would send 200 Canadian Forces troops to help fight wildfires in B.C.
Although Skrepnek said there weren香蕉视频直播檛 currently plans on how exactly to deploy the troops, he said they would likely be used in a similar fashion to last year.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e certainly not sending them out to fires that are starting, they香蕉视频直播檙e not going to be frontline first responder firefighters,香蕉视频直播� said Skrepnek.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e going to utilize them more so in the mop-up of fires. After it香蕉视频直播檚 been largely contained, we get them on the ground to do a lot of the grunt work.香蕉视频直播�
BC Wildfires 2018:
The state of emergency will last for 14 days, at which time it can be renewed. It gives authorities extra powers to help deal with the crisis.
香蕉视频直播淧ublic 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,香蕉视频直播� said B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth in a release.
香蕉视频直播淭aking this step will further ensure we can protect the public, property and infrastructure, and assist with firefighting efforts.香蕉视频直播�
However, speaking to reporters later, Donaldson said there were no specific plans to set up a new wildfire assistance fund.
Instead he pointed to already existing provincial programs.
香蕉视频直播淚n terms of the longer term issue of what financial assistance is available, that will depend in part on, one the wildfires are over, we香蕉视频直播檙e able to get sense of the damage that has taken place,香蕉视频直播� said Donaldson.
However, Donaldson was firm that whatever money needs to be spent to fight wildfires will be spent.
香蕉视频直播淲e spend what香蕉视频直播檚 required to keep people safe and keep fires under controls,香蕉视频直播� he said.
That香蕉视频直播檚 regardless of what kind of fire season we have.香蕉视频直播�
Although both 2017 and 2018 have been intense years with states of emergency issued, Skrepnek said they were 香蕉视频直播渧ery different fire seasons.香蕉视频直播�
Last year, the province issued a 10-week state of emergency on July 7.
In 2017, much of the fires that burned up more than a million hectares of land started in early July, and most evacuees were back to their homes by this time.
Despite some forecast rain bringing 香蕉视频直播渁 glimmer of hope香蕉视频直播� to the southeastern parts of the province, Skrepnek said there香蕉视频直播檚 no sign of the 香蕉视频直播渕ajor rain event香蕉视频直播� fire crews need to get a grip on major wildfires.
香蕉视频直播淩ain. We need rain,香蕉视频直播� he said.
READ MORE: Heavy smoke settles into the Okanagan as wildfires continue to burn
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Forests Minister Doug Donaldson rebuffed concerns that the province hadn香蕉视频直播檛 begun wildfire preparations early enough.
Citing completed in the spring, Donaldson said the province brought in fire crews and aircraft onto fire scenes earlier.
香蕉视频直播淲e increased our communication with important stakeholders early on in the fire season,香蕉视频直播� Donaldson said.
香蕉视频直播淥ne of the recommendations we are going to be taking action on香蕉视频直播� more burning around communities, more fuel management around communities.香蕉视频直播�
Although Donaldson acknowledged that controlled burns often make nearby communities nervous, he emphasized the safety and caution of the operations.
香蕉视频直播淲hen we do burn during a fire season, it香蕉视频直播檚 under expert authority,香蕉视频直播� said Donaldson.
香蕉视频直播淲e did already increase the number of controlled burns this spring香蕉视频直播� [prescribed burns] are an incredible tool to manage fuel buildup.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淔orest fires are a natural part of the ecosystem.香蕉视频直播� Prescribed burns are 香蕉视频直播渁n incredible tool to manage fuel buildup.香蕉视频直播�
Last August, after strong winds caused the fire to jump Highway 97 and threaten nearby ranches and home.
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