Wildfire danger persists, winds on the way

KAMLOOPS — B.C. has extended a provincewide state of emergency because of wildfires that have scorched a record amount of land this season.

Chris Duffy of Emergency Management B.C. said this third extension of the state of emergency is expected to remain in effect until Sept. 1, which will bring its total duration to eight weeks. “This will be the longest provincial declaration in the history of the province,” he said, adding the 2003 wildfire season saw a six-week state of emergency.

The agency said the state of emergency allows for better co-ordination of federal, provincial and local resources “to ensure public safety, which remains the provincial government’s top priority.”

The province also announced it would provide the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association with up to $200,000 to help businesses recover after fires led to evacuations and cancellations.

As of Friday, 140 wildfires were burning in B.C., with 26 evacuation orders affecting about 4,400 people, and 41 evacuation alerts impacting an estimated 20,700 others.

Windy and unstable weather was forecast today for most of southern and central B.C., conditions that officials say have the potential to kick up wildfires. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement warning an incoming cold front packing winds of about 60 kilometres per hour was expected to hit the central Interior before sliding south and diminishing over the weekend.