Canada wildfires: British Columbia declares provincial state of emergency
First Published: 19th August, 2023 15:29 IST
Premier of British Columbia, David Eby announced the state of emergency at a Friday (local time) press conference
Canada‘s British Columbia province declared a state of emergency as the firefighters battled wildfires“>wildfires that forced thousands of people to evacuate from their homes, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported.
Premier of British Columbia, David Eby announced the state of emergency at a Friday (local time) press conference. He said that the wildfire situation in the province has “evolved and deteriorated” rapidly.
Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says the number of people under evacuation order in British Columbia went from 4,500 to 15,000 in a matter of an hour.
A further 20,000 people are under evacuation alert, reported CBC.
Eby said declaring a state of emergency “enables a number of legal tools for us to issue specific orders and to ensure that resources are available.”
In a statement, the provincial government said a state of emergency lets the province enact emergency orders, which could include travel restrictions if people fail to heed calls to avoid non-essential travel to the central Interior and southeastern British Columbia.
Earlier, the wildfire in Canada’s Northwest Territories prompted emergency declarations and the evacuation of the capital city of Yellowknife by road and air, CNN reported.
Yellowknife accounts for about half of the total population of the remote territory, which sits north of Alberta and east of Yukon.
Premier Caroline Cochrane said in a statement on Wednesday night: “We’re all tired of the word unprecedented, yet there is no other way to describe this situation in the Northwest Territories.”
“Residents living along the Ingraham Trail, in Dettah, Kam Lake, Grace Lake and Engle Business District are currently at the highest risk and should evacuate as soon as possible. Other residents have until noon on Friday, August 18, 2023, to evacuate,” Northwest Territories officials said in a news release on Wednesday, as per CNN.
The community of N’dilo is also under an evacuation order, officials said in the release. Those unable to leave by vehicle can register for an air evacuation, officials said. (ANI)
Also Read: US: Southern California braces for Hurricane Hilary
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Union Tourism Ministry pulls up Sikkim Tourism Dept for ‘exploitative’ cab rates
18th May 2024Live Meghalaya: Retaining wall of new Assembly building collapses in Mawdiangdiang
18th May 2024Live Tripura: Poor performance of 125 Vidyajyoti Schools sparks political controversy
18th May 2024Live Illegal appointments in PHE & WS department: ACS seek termination of corrupt officials
18th May 2024WE RECOMMEND
Indian students in Kyrgyzstan advised to “stay indoors” amid mob violence
The Indian embassy also shared a helpline contact number for the students.
18th May 2024Advisory for Indians travelling to Laos, Cambodia for jobs
The advisory outlines significant risks associated with fraudulent job offers and emphasizes the need for caution.
17th May 2024Kim Jong Un’s sister says N Korea’s weapons not for exports after US sanctions Russian firms
Kim Yo-jong's statement comes amid US claims that North Korea has supplied weapons to Russia to support the latter's war in Ukraine.
17th May 2024‘Let’s get ready to Rumble’: Trump, Biden set to debate in June, September
The first debate by CNN will be held on June 27, while the second debate will be held on September 10 by ABC News.
16th May 2024France declares state of emergency in New Caledonia as violent protests rage
The state of emergency came into effect at 8 pm (Paris time) on Wednesday and 5 am in Noumea, the island's capital.
16th May 2024