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Ottawa contributes $100 million to B.C. wildfire relief efforts, says premier

Ottawa contributes $100 million to B.C. wildfire relief efforts, says premier | iNFOnews.ca
B.C. Premier John Horgan says the federal government is matching British Columbia's $100-million fund to support ongoing wildfire relief programs. Horgan walks though a burnt-out cemetery with Chief Greg Blain in Ashcroft, B.C., Monday, August 28, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

VICTORIA – Premier John Horgan says the federal government is matching British Columbia's $100-million fund to support ongoing wildfire relief programs.

Horgan says the $100 million federal contribution will help residents, businesses and communities in the Interior as they recover from last summer's unprecedented wildfire season.

A provincial state of emergency was declared last July after a number of communities were evacuated and homes were destroyed.

The state of emergency was lifted in September but fires charred more than 11,700 hectares of forests, ranch lands and communities.

B.C.'s wildfire service says it has spent more than $510 million fighting fires this year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Horgan toured the wildfire zone last summer in a Canadian Forces helicopter, and both pledged to support relief efforts.

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Taylor Rae

Before university, Taylor spent a year abroad living in Thailand which encouraged her to finish her degree studying in Turkey, both experiences have made her an avid traveller. Taylor graduated from Thompson Rivers University with a degree in Communications and Public Relations. Although born on the coast, Taylor has lived the majority of her life in Kamloops and enjoys what the region has to offer. In her spare time, you can find Taylor volunteering in the community or out on an adventure with her friends and her dogs.

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