Prince George, B.C. – As expected, the State of Emergency in British Columbia, has been extended  till the end of the day  September 1st.

This is the third extension  of the declaration since first  imposed  in early July.

As has been the  case in the past,  the state of emergency declaration will continue to apply to the whole province. This ensures federal, provincial and local resources can be delivered in a co-ordinated response to the wildfire situation and continue to ensure public safety, which remains the provincial government’s top priority.

The extension means the  direct financial support to evacuees, with $600-per-household funding, is renewed.

As of this morning, there are 138 wildfires burning in B.C., with 27 evacuation orders affecting approximately 4,400 individuals, plus 40 evacuation alerts impacting approximately 20,700 people.

The state of emergency gives agencies, such as Emergency Management BC, the fire commissioner, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, and the RCMP the authority, under the Wildfire Act, to take every action necessary to fight the wildfires and protect residents and their communities.