The Minister of Emergency Management in British Columbia, Canada, Bowinn Ma, has announced the deployment of more soldiers to assist firefighters in combating nearly 400 active wildfires in British Columbia.

Minister Bowinn stated that 75 military personnel are heading to Burns Lake, in central British Columbia, to join another 75 who were sent to the area yesterday as part of federal assistance in fighting the wildfires in the province.

Ma noted that there are forecasts for increased fire activity, as changing winds lead to clearer skies, higher temperatures, and lower humidity.

The province has already recorded a record total area burned in a single year, with approximately 14,000 square kilometers burned across British Columbia.

Officials pointed out that the season has not yet peaked, and they are warning that the drought that has fueled the fires this season may continue into next year, potentially causing the 2024 fire season to start early.

The regional drought bulletin shows that 18 of the 34 watersheds in the province are at drought level 4, meaning that damage to ecosystems and local communities is likely, while four other watersheds are at the highest level 5.