RCMP officers from across British Columbia are travelling to the Okanagan region to provide support in response to the escalating wildfire conditions.

The officers will be dispatched using several means of transportation, including airplanes. Among the deploying personnel are members from the BC Highway Patrol, and Indigenous Policing Services Tactical Troop. There are also additional resources deploying from the Federal level, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed his support with British Columbia Premier David Eby Saturday and agreed to make additional resources available to the province in this time of need.

The responsibilities of these additional police officers include aiding with evacuations, safeguarding evacuated regions, ensuring secure evacuation routes, and offering operational relief to local detachments.

Eby announced a province-wide state of emergency Friday evening, after the number of evacuees tripled from 4,500 to 15,000 in one hour.