HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1 The Wildfire Act, S.B.C. 2004, c. 31, is amended by adding the following section:

Consideration of health risks of wildfires

8.1 (1) In establishing the policies and priorities referred to in section 8, the minister must consider the health risks posed by wildfire smoke.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the minister must consider the health risks to the following groups:

(a) infants and young children;

(b) seniors;

(c) people with an existing illness or chronic health condition such as asthma or other lung conditions, cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions;

(d) people who are pregnant;

(e) people who smoke;

(f) people who work outdoors;

(g) people involved in strenuous outdoor exercise.

2 Section 9 (1) is repealed and the following substituted:

Government may carry out fire control

9 (1) The government may enter on any land and carry out fire control if an official considers that a fire on or near the land endangers life, poses health risks or threatens forest land or grass land.

Commencement

3 This Act comes into force on the date of Royal Assent.

Explanatory Notes

CLAUSE 1: [Wildfire Act, section 8.1] requires the minister to consider the health risks posed by wildfire smoke in establishing the policies and priorities for the efficient use of fire control resources of the government.

CLAUSE 2: [Wildfire Act, section 9] adds health risks as a factor to be considered in determining whether the government may carry out fire control.