The British Columbia government said Friday it is extending a provincial state of emergency until Aug. 29 in response to ongoing wildfire risks.
“The extension follows advice from emergency-management officials and ensures the Province continues to have access to emergency powers under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act if they are required,” the province said in a statement.
The province declared the state of emergency on Aug. 8 after the Bald Range wildfire in the Okanagan exploded in size and prompted large-scale evacuations of the Summerland area.
The declaration gives the province access to emergency powers that can include travel restrictions, fuel rationing and measures aimed at preventing price gouging.
The province said it has not needed to issue emergency orders under the state of emergency to respond to the wildfires.
B.C. has also prohibited the use of recreational off-road vehicles on Crown land in many parts of southern B.C. to help prevent new wildfires. The prohibition falls under the Wildfire Act and is not an order under the provincial state of emergency.
The Bald Range wildfire remains out of control and has burned about 240 square kilometres. It is one of four major wildfires burning in southern B.C., along with the Pear Lake wildfire in the South Cariboo and two major fires that make up the Brunswick Creek fire complex in the Fraser Canyon.
B.C. officials warned in an update earlier this week that, while most Summerland evacuees were being allowed to return home, there are still several weeks left in the wildfire season and there is strong potential for new, intense fires.
Thousands of people across B.C. are still under evacuation orders or alerts due to wildfires.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said there were 124 active wildfires in the province as so Friday afternoon. It said hot, dry conditions were expected across B.C., with gusty winds in the Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres.
The service said thundershowers and possible dry lightning were expected to increase fire activity across southern B.C. on Saturday.
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