B.C. Declares Provincewide State of Emergency as Wildfires Force More Than 21,000 From Their Homes

Noah Chen

8/10/20263 min read

British Columbia is under a provincewide state of emergency as more than 100 wildfires burn across the province, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee and pushing emergency crews into what officials describe as some of the most dangerous fire conditions they have ever seen.

The declaration took effect Saturday afternoon, giving the province expanded powers to respond quickly as wildfires threaten communities, overwhelm local resources and create urgent challenges around evacuations, accommodations and travel.

According to the province, approximately 21,700 people are currently displaced from their homes across B.C., while another 9,700 remain under evacuation alert and must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

Premier David Eby, speaking from downtown Vancouver on Saturday afternoon, said the scale of the crisis is already severe.

“Homes have been lost, and properties have been destroyed,” Eby said. “Some people became trapped as conditions changed.”

He said the province is standing with those affected.

“To everyone affected, you are not alone. British Columbians are with you.”

Summerland Ordered to Evacuate

One of the most urgent situations is unfolding in the District of Summerland, where all 12,000 residents were ordered to leave late Friday night as the Bald Range wildfire moved quickly toward the community.

The evacuation order marked one of the most significant community-wide evacuations during the current wildfire emergency.

Officials said the fast-moving fire created dangerous conditions that required residents to leave immediately so emergency responders could continue their work safely.

Eby urged anyone under evacuation order to take the direction seriously and leave without delay.

Those who remain behind, he said, can put both themselves and first responders at risk.

Province Says Emergency Powers Are Needed

Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene said the state of emergency gives the province tools it may need as conditions evolve rapidly.

Those powers could include securing accommodations for evacuees, imposing travel restrictions in specific areas and moving resources quickly to where they are most needed.

Greene said British Columbians across the province are already stepping up to support one another.

“There are people from every walk of life that are stepping up to do whatever they can to help their community,” she said. “Thank you, from the province.”

She urged anyone planning travel in B.C. to check Emergency Info B.C. and DriveBC before leaving, as evacuation orders, highway closures and travel advisories can change quickly during wildfire emergencies.

‘Explosive’ Fire Conditions

Cliff Chapman with the B.C. Wildfire Service said the Bald Range wildfire is among the most challenging fires the agency has ever faced.

“This is many people’s worst nightmare,” he said.

Chapman described fire conditions across parts of the province as “explosive,” warning that crews are dealing with circumstances unlike anything they have seen before.

He said firefighters continue to work around the clock, with search and rescue efforts ongoing in affected areas.

The speed at which conditions are changing has made the emergency especially difficult. Fires can shift rapidly with wind, heat and dry fuels, leaving residents little time to react and forcing crews to constantly adapt.

Accommodation a Major Challenge

As thousands of people leave their homes, officials say one of the biggest operational challenges is finding enough places for evacuees to stay.

Kevin Dunbar, a director with the Ministry of Emergency Management, said accommodations are under significant pressure.

He encouraged evacuees who are able to stay with friends or family to do so, helping preserve emergency lodging for those with no other options.

The province’s emergency declaration is intended, in part, to help manage that pressure by allowing government to secure accommodation and coordinate resources more efficiently.

First Responders Praised for Heroic Efforts

Eby said stories are already emerging of people taking extraordinary risks to protect neighbours, help evacuees and support emergency crews.

“The stories that are starting to come out are heroic,” he said. “Many people put themselves at risk to save others. We thank them for their courage.”

Firefighters, search and rescue personnel, police, emergency support workers and volunteers are all involved in the response, with many working in difficult and dangerous conditions.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a social media post that the federal government is ready to support B.C. as the crisis unfolds. He also thanked firefighters and first responders for working tirelessly to keep people safe.

A Province on Alert

With more than 100 fires burning and thousands of people either displaced or preparing to evacuate, officials are warning residents to remain alert, follow emergency instructions and avoid unnecessary travel into affected areas.

The situation remains fluid, and authorities say conditions can deteriorate quickly.

For those ordered to leave, the message is clear: evacuate immediately.

For those on alert, the province is urging readiness — gather essentials, prepare vehicles, monitor official updates and be prepared to go without delay.

As British Columbia confronts another major wildfire emergency, the province’s focus is now on protecting lives, supporting evacuees and giving crews the space and resources they need to battle fires that officials say are moving with extraordinary intensity.

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