B.C. wildfires: quick statistics

Press Release

Aug. 16, 2021

VICTORIA – The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021.

For real-time updates on evacuation alerts and orders, visit: https://twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC

For the latest wildfire information, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

Fires:

• Since April 1, 2021:
  • 1,511 wildfires
  • 766,709 hectares
• Currently burning: 268
• Active fires by fire centre:
  • Cariboo: 32
  • Coastal: 21
  • Kamloops: 86
  • Northwest: 5
  • Prince George: 60
  • Southeast: 64

Resources:

• Total personnel: 3,701
• Contract firefighters: 1,236
• Out-of-province personnel: 480
• Aircraft (rotary and fixed-wing): 213

Evacuations:

• Evacuation orders: 74 (+13)
• Evacuation alerts: 119 (-1)
• Properties:
  • Number of properties on order:  6,607 (+717)
  • Number of properties on alert: 16,022 (+1,307)*
• Orders and alerts by Emergency Management BC region:
  • Vancouver Island Central Coast: 0 orders 2 alerts
  • Northwest: 0 orders 1 alert
  • Northeast:  2 orders 9 alerts
  • Central:  63 orders 95 alerts
  • Southeast:  2 orders 9 alerts
  • Southwest: 7 orders 3 alerts

*The latest evacuation alert property numbers have been revised in today’s release due to a previous reporting error. Today’s numbers accurately reflect the current wildfire situation.

Supports available:

• To help people and communities manage and recover from the impacts of wildfires, the Province has assembled a list of the key resources people may need.
  Go to www.EmergencyInfoBC.ca and click on “recovery and supports.”
• To register for Emergency Support Services: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/
  Or call toll-free: 1 800 585-9559
• For information and resources for farms/livestock producers, including the livestock relocation program:
  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/business-market-development/emergency-management
• For information on BC Hydro bill help for British Columbians who are evacuated:
  https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/evacuee-help.html?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=redirect&utm_content=evacueehelp
• For information on how to report a claim related to wildfire damage through ICBC: https://www.icbc.com/claims/report-view/Pages/Report-a-claim-online.aspx
  Or by phone (toll-free): 1 800 910-4222.
• If you have health concerns due to smoky air, extreme heat and the stress of being evacuated or on alert, dial 811 to contact HealthLink BC.
• For information on programs to help those impacted by seasonal emergencies and disasters:
  • Individual and family recovery programs: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/emergency-response-and-recovery/recovery-programs#individual
  • First Nations support: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/emergency-response-and-recovery/recovery-programs#nation
  • Business and agriculture recovery programs: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/emergency-response-and-recovery/recovery-programs#business
  • Indirect business support: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/emergency-response-and-recovery/recovery-programs#indirect
  • Resources for community recovery managers: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/emergency-response-and-recovery/recovery-programs#community
• For information about private home insurance and other private insurance claims related to wildfire: http://www.ibc.ca/qc/disaster/bcwildfire
• For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1 888 3-FOREST (1 888 336-7378)
  Or visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status

Contact:

Emergency Management BC
Joint Information Centre
Media Relations
250 880-6430

IHT5