B.C. declares provincewide state of emergency

11-Aug-2026

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The wildfire situation in B.C. is growing increasingly volatile. The province is now under a state of emergency as over 100 fires rage and thousands of people have fled their homes. 

Premier David Eby says the entire province is now under a state of emergency as crews grapple with dozens of out-of-control wildfires that have forced thousands of people to evacuate.

All 12,000 residents of the District of Summerland were ordered to leave their homes at night on August 9 as the Bald Range wildfire advanced quickly on the community.

Close to 22,000 people are under evacuation orders across B.C. as of August 10 afternoon, while another roughly 9,700 people have been told they should prepare to evacuate at a moment's notice.

Eby urged anyone under an evacuation order to leave their home immediately if they haven't done so already, as the fires continue to move "incredibly quickly."