While it was already in a state of emergency, the wildfire crisis in BC’s interior got drastically worse.
19 wildfires have combined to form the largest wildfire in BC’s history. Over 400 firefighters are working to contain the blaze that is now over 467,000 hectares in size.
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The previous record was held in 1958, when a wildfire spread over an area covering approximately 2,250 square kilometres.
BC’s Budget And The Largest Wildfire In History
While many families were evacuated due to safety concerns, the nearest cities of Williams Lake and Quesnel are over 60 kilometres away.
CTV News quoted BC Finance Minister Carole James who said that, “We’re tracking $389 million over the February budget estimate right now, and we’re only halfway through the season.”
3,800 people are currently displaced due to the wildfires in British Columbia.
The province-wide state of emergency is extended until September 1st.