 | B.C. took the unprecedented step on Wednesday of extending a state of emergency by two weeks as it battles 140 wildfires that have forced about 45,000 people from their homes. On July 7, B.C. declared its first state of emergency since 2003 as gusting winds fanned fires in the tinder-dry central and southern regions. |  |
 | The fires have shuttered mines and timber operations and damaged homes and electrical infrastructure. At least seven lumber mills operated by West Fraser Timber Co., Norbord Inc., and Tolko Industries Ltd. have been affected. Lumber futures on Monday jumped by the exchange limit in Chicago to the highest in more than two months. Imperial Metals suspended operations at its open-pit Mount Polley copper and gold mine near Williams Lake after an evacuation order was issued in the region. Taseko Mines idled its copper-molybdenum Gibraltar mine. |
