British Columbia, Canada, has taken decisive measures by introducing travel restrictions to regions grappling with devastating wildfires, all within the framework of an ongoing state of emergency.
The premier of the province, David Eby, unveiled this travel restriction initiative on Saturday, during a press conference held in the afternoon. The primary goal of this order is to open up lodging options for evacuees who are in dire need of accommodations.
As a result of the escalating wildfire situation, the provincial government enacted a state of emergency that prompted the evacuation of thousands from their residences.
According to the order, non-essential travel linked to tourism will be curtailed in areas heavily affected by wildfires. This encompasses locales such as Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, and Vernon. Individuals with plans to lodge in temporary accommodations in these regions will be subject to the travel restriction.
Premier Eby emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring an adequate supply of temporary lodging for both evacuees and those actively engaged in firefighting efforts. He noted that approximately 35,000 individuals are currently under evacuation orders throughout the province, while an additional 30,000 are under evacuation alerts.