“British Columbia has declared a province-wide state of emergency on August 15, 2018, due to raging wildfires. Although 2018 is already the 4th worst season on record, it’s still far behind record-breaking 2017. Previous declarations were in 1996, 2003 and 2017, which lasted 10 weeks.”
As of August 15, there were 566 wildfires burning in the province. There were 29 active evacuation orders impacting over 2,000 people and 48 evacuation centers affecting nearly 19,000 people.
Over 3,300 firefighters and contractors are involved in fighting the fires, including 1,427 B.C. contract personnel and 436 out-of-province personnel from across Canada, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand.
So far this year, more than 380,000 hectares (939 000 acres) have been burned by wildfires, making it the fourth worst season on record. The worst B.C. season so far was 2017 with 1.2 million hectares (over 3 million acres).
Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth said there are some very significant differences when compared with the record-setting 2017. “This year we are dealing with fires all over the province, whereas last year they were concentrated in a number of areas, the Cariboo for example.” The fires are also not as large or as close to communities as last year, he said.
“Since April 1, 2018, B.C. crews have responded to nearly 1,800 wildfires. At least 400 of those are believed to [have been] caused by humans.”
“Under the wrath of God, universal desolation will soon reach all parts of the known world. There have been lightnings and earthquakes, fires and floods, calamities by sea and land; but who reads these warnings? What impression is made upon the world? What change in their attitude is seen? No more than was seen in the inhabitants of the Noachian world. The people are just as ardent today in their games, in their horse racing, in their love of amusement, as were the antediluvians, who “knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” They had heaven-sent warnings, but they refused to listen. By their attitude they declared, We want not thy way, O God; we want our own way, our own will. Today the world is mad: an insanity is upon men and women, and is hurrying them on to eternal ruin. Every species of indulgence prevails, and men have become so infatuated with vice that they will not listen to warnings or appeals.” Review and Herald, November 27, 1900.
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