Prince George, B.C. – As  wildfires continue to burn in a number  of areas in B.C,  the Province has  extended the Provincial State of Emergency.

This is the fourth time the  declaration has been extended,   this time until  the end of day September 15th.

Previous extensions were  made  July 19, Aug. 4, and Aug. 18.

The state of emergency declaration will continue to apply to the whole province. This ensures that 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.

As of this morning, there are 160 wildfires burning in B.C, with 16 evacuation orders affecting approximately 3,622 individuals, plus 39 evacuation alerts impacting approximate 13, 670 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.