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KAMLOOPS — B.C. has extended its 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.

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“This will be the longest provincial declaration in the history of the province,” he said, adding there was a six-week state of emergency during the 2003 wildfire season.

The agency said in a news release 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 devastating fires led to evacuations and cancellations.