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B.C. state of emergency hits two-week mark, no end in sight against wildfires

Jul 21, 2017 | 10:37 AM

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Today marks two weeks since raging wildfires that have displaced thousands of people British Columbia forced the province to call a state of emergency.

On Wednesday, Premier John Horgan said he would extend the order for an additional two weeks since many of the 43,000 people who had to flee their homes in the province’s Interior will not yet be able to return.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, who was sworn in Tuesday as part of B.C.’s new NDP government, says a $100 million fund established by the former Liberal government is enough to cover costs for now and the province is ready to spend more if necessary.

Farnworth says members of a federal ad hoc committee co-ordinating Ottawa’s response to the fires are expected to be meeting with provincial officials this weekend.