B.C. declares state of emergency amid battle against wildfires

By The Canadian Press
Sat., July 8, 2017

ASHCROFT, B.C.—British Columbia is under a province-wide state of emergency as wildfires that have forced thousands from their homes show no sign of abating.

The BC Wildfire Service says in a tweet that 138 new wildfires sprang up on Friday alone, consuming dozens of buildings.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone says the extraordinary measure of declaring an emergency is necessary to co-ordinate the crisis response and ensure public safety.

Stone says wildfire activity is expected to increase with hot, dry weather predicted in the coming days, along with thunderstorms forecast for many parts of the province.

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https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/07/08/bc-declares-state-of-emergency-amid-battle-against-wildfires.html