A wildfire burns north east of the town of Cache Creek, British Columbia, Canada on July 18, 2017. REUTERS/Ben Nelms/Files

 

The Canadian province of British Columbia has extended a state of emergency for a fourth time until September 15 due to wildfires raging across the region, the provincial government said on Friday.

Since early summer, firefighters and emergency services have been battling hundreds of blazes across British Columbia that have forced as many as 45,000 people from their homes and burned more than 894,000 hectares (2.2 million acres).

'A number of new fires'

British Columbia on August 4 extended the state of emergency by two weeks for the second time as it battled 123 fires.

Since April 1, over 870 fires across the province have charred an estimated 509,000 hectares (1.3 million acres) and destroyed 305 structures, officials said, including homes, sheds, barns, and commercial buildings.

Some 115 burnt structures have not been identified.

British Columbia chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek said on a conference call that hot, dry weather conditions were forecast into the weekend, with a chance of lightning.

Thunder showers and lightning are expected from Monday to Wednesday, he said, adding, ?Given how dry it?s been, if it doesn?t come with a significant amount of rain, we?re likely going to see a number of new fires.?

The fires have cost the province C$211.7 million ($167.37 million) so far this fire season, Skrepnek said.

Neighbouring countries send help

While many evacuees have since been allowed back to their homes, British Columbia?s government said there were still 25 evacuation orders affecting about 7,100 people, and there were roughly 25,000 people under a less serious form of notice, an evacuation alert.

Biggest Mexico firefighter deployment abroad heads to Canada

A state of emergency has been in effect in British Columbia since July 7

British Columbia has not declared a state of emergency since 2003.

Firefighters from Mexico and the United States arrived in British Columbia earlier to help tackle the flames.

Mexico sent 108 firefighters and the US sent another 27 to join a force of nearly 4,000 battling blazes that have shut sawmills and mines and forced thousands from their homes. It is so far the province?s third-worst fire season on record, based on area burnt.

British Columbia said on Friday it would provide each evacuee household with $600, which will be renewed every 14 days until they return to their homes.