Prince George, B.C. – There are still over 150 wildfires burning in B.C. and, as the provincial state of emergency officially comes to an end at midnight tonight, the government of Premier John Horgan is proceeding with a long-term plan of recovery and support for those British Columbians who have been directly impacted.

Emergency Management BC has held the lead in the government’s response to the record wildfire season but the long-term recovery effort will now be assumed by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

There are four key components to the government’s plan:

-People and Communities: Examining a range of social services required based on community need, such as long-term mental health support.

-Economy:  Identifying short, medium and long-term recovery supports for small business, tourism and resource-based sectors.

-Environment: Providing co-ordinated support for land-based recovery operations, such as reforestation.

-Infrastructure and Reconstruction:  Identifying recovery supports for local governments and First Nations in their direct recovery of infrastructure losses, with a focus on longer-term mitigation and adaptation.

Regional economic officers posted in communities including Quesnel, Kamloops and Invermere are working with community leaders in the Cariboo, Thompson and Kootenay regions to make sure people and communities are receiving the services they require.