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B.C. state of emergency hits two-week mark

B.C.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s state of emergency over wildfires hits its two-week mark with no end in sight
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Sicamous firefighter Joe McCullochÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s photo shows what he and fellow firefighters are up against near100 Mile House. Joe McCulloch photo

Today marks two weeks since raging wildfires that have displaced thousands of people in British Columbia forced the province to

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 provinceÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Interior will not yet be able to return.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, who was sworn in Tuesday as part of B.C.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™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.

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Farnworth says members of a federal ad hoc committee co-ordinating OttawaÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s response to the fires are expected to be meeting with provincial officials this weekend.

The federal government says committee members will also visit affected communities to determine what help is needed on top of current support from departments and agencies including the Canadian Armed Forces, Public Health Agency, RCMP and Canada Post.

Williams Lake, which was evacuated nearly a week ago, was among the areas of the province to see rain yesterday, but more than 100 fires are still active and air quality advisories resulting from the smoke have remained in effect.

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Gustafsen Fire. Bob Grant photo.




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