The Butchart Gardens have cancelled tonight’s fireworks display after a province-wide state of emergency was declared.
The weekend fireworks show scheduled for Saturday, August 19th, was cancelled due to the ongoing state of emergency as a result of the devastating wildfires that have sparked mass evacuations across BC.
BC is currently facing its most severe wildfire season on record, with approximately 15,000 properties under evacuation orders and thousands more on high alert, particularly in regions such as the Okanagan area, Cariboo, and Boston Bar.
Premier David Eby and Bowinn Ma, the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, issued a joint statement acknowledging the dire situation and the rapid evolution of the fires. They emphasized that the province was taking unprecedented measures to address the crisis effectively.
The declaration of a provincial state of emergency was made under the authority of the Emergency Program Act, allowing the government to access essential tools and resources to support communities in need. The primary focus was on managing the evolving situation and ensuring the safety of residents and emergency personnel.
Authorities urged the public to follow evacuation orders, avoid non-essential travel to affected areas, and respect the instructions of local officials.
The wildfire battle, centered in the central Okanagan region, was particularly intense. Flames tore through West Kelowna suburbs and necessitated the evacuation of the University of British Columbia’s Kelowna campus.
The fire situation in the Interior of BC remained the epicenter of the crisis, with hundreds of fires raging across the province.
This prompted the provincial government to declare a state of emergency and evacuate approximately 15,000 individuals.
The McDougall Creek wildfire, in particular, wreaked havoc in West Kelowna, causing significant property damage and raising concerns about further destruction.
While the fireworks were cancelled, the Butchart Gardens will remain open until 11 p.m. Saturday with the Chuckleberries performing at 8 p.m. this evening.
