For immediate release
April 25, 2024
VICTORIA, B.C. – As British Columbia faces its first wildfire evacuation of the year, the BC Greens are calling on the BC NDP to immediately ban open burning and campfires.
“Last night, the Peace River Regional District declared a state of local emergency and issued an evacuation order near Chetwynd. Immediate action is required. Alberta has already implemented fire restrictions in response to similar risks,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley.
“The wildfire season is starting earlier each year. Following a dry winter with low precipitation and a rapidly disappearing snowpack, we are sitting on a tinderbox. Without significant rainfall, the risk remains high. Given the ongoing drought and dry conditions, implementing a fire ban is a sensible and necessary measure to mitigate the risk of wildfires. especially those caused by human activities.”
-30-
Media contacts
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | jojo.beattie@leg.bc.ca