B.C. wildfires: quick statistics

Press Release

Aug. 20, 2021

VICTORIA – The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Thursday, Aug. 19, 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:

• Wildfires burning in B.C.: 254
• Since April 1, 2021:
  • 1,530 wildfires
  • 858,292 hectares of area burned
• Active fires by fire centre:
  • Cariboo: 30
  • Coastal: 19
  • Kamloops: 82
  • Northwest: 5
  • Prince George: 52
  • Southeast: 66

Resources:

• Firefighters and other personnel fighting the fires: 3,728
• Out-of-province firefighters: 520
• Helicopters and planes supporting ground crews: 206

Evacuations:

• Evacuation orders: 75
• Evacuation alerts: 118 (-4)
• Properties:
  • Number of properties on order: 4,951 (-1,175)
  • Number of properties on alert: 19,653 (-187)
• Orders and alerts by Emergency Management BC region:
  • Vancouver Island Central Coast: 0 orders, 0 alerts
  • Northwest: 1 order, 1 alert
  • Northeast: 1 order,  9 (+1) alerts
  • Central: 67 orders, 97 (-5) alerts
  • Southeast: 1 order, 7 alerts
  • Southwest: 5 orders, 4 alerts

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.
• Click on “recovery and supports” at: www.EmergencyInfoBC.ca
• 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