Forest fires raged in western Canada, Govt extended state of emergency

As forest fires raged in western Canada, the provincial government extended a state of emergency and announced aid for tens of thousands of people evacuated because of the disaster. 

Firefighting officials said, around 140 fires were burning in British Columbia on the Pacific coast, and more than half of them remained out of control. Four of those 140 -- down from an earlier figure of 150 -- are newly declared



fires. All told the flames have forced at least 46,000 people from their homes. 

British Columbia Premier John Horgan said, each household evacuated will receive aid of 480 dollars. That amount will double for families unable to return home over the next two weeks. He also said a state of emergency that was first declared July 7 and set to expire tomorrow will be extended by two weeks.