B.C. wildfires: State of emergency extended, Metro Vancouver air quality improves

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — B.C. has extended the state of emergency due to the hundreds of wildfires raging in the province, while an air quality advisory for the Lower Mainland has been lifted.

According to the province, 254 fires remain active Tuesday. Evacuation orders and alerts remain in effect for more than 25,000 properties.

During a #BCwildfire or other emergency, you may need to leave home quickly.

If you've received an #EvacuationAlert, now is the time to build grab & go bags for each member of your household. If possible, have a set at home & in your vehicle.

Learn more: https://t.co/suTjuejuWH pic.twitter.com/t0eZkE5XIU

— Prepared BC (@PreparedBC) August 3, 2021

The state of emergency has been extended through Aug. 17 due to the ongoing risk to large swathes of the province.

“The province’s decision to extend the provincial state of emergency will support the significant number of people who remain under evacuation orders and alerts, and continues to support the potential of a mass evacuation,” a statement says.

“Current weather forecasts may lead to more severe fire behaviour.”

RELATED: Dry, hot conditions fuelling aggressive B.C. wildfires

The persistent hot and dry conditions as a key factor in deciding to extend the state of emergency which was initially declared on July 20. While lightning has sparked the majority of fires this season, Minister of Forests, Katrine Conroy, is urging people to do their part in mitigating risk.

“The people on the front lines of this year’s wildfire response are doing everything in their power to protect B.C. communities and keep British Columbians safe. Let’s all show our support for them by ensuring that our activities don’t spark any new wildfires.”

.@MetroVancouver has ended the air quality advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. The agency says air quality has improved thanks to the weather, however, smoke above ground-level is continuing to cause a hazy sky across the region. Details on @NEWS1130.

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) August 3, 2021

An air quality advisory for the Regional District of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District that was issued over the long weekend has been lifted.

“Air quality has improved due to a change in the weather that is bringing onshore winds to help clear smoke from wildfires burning in the interior of B.C. and Washington. Smoke above ground level is continuing to cause hazy skies throughout the region,” a statement says.

Rob Schweitzer with the BC Wildfire Service says although there has been some rain in the last few days, with more in the forecast — it’s far too early to breathe a sigh of relief.

“I don’t want anyone to be lulled that the season is over, it’s only Aug. 3,” he says, adding crews on the ground and in the sky are also battling through thick and heavy smoke with help from across Canada and overseas.

“The challenge is the fire season kind of hit all across Canada and U.S at the same time.

NEWS 1130 Meteorologist Michael Kuss forecasts more than 20 millimetres of rain is on the way for the hard-hit Interior starting this weekend.

“That’s not a lot of precipitation in the big picture. The concern is when we see weather systems like this shoot in, winds pick up and that fans the flames of these fires and the risk is there for some lightning,” he notes.

As for Vancouver, Kuss says rain is forecast for Thursday night. Currently, this is the second-longest stretch without precipitation on record.

With files from Crystal Laderas