B.C.'s Wildfire Management Branch is sending an additional 192 personnel to Quebec to assist that province with its increased fire activity.

Tomorrow nine 20-person unit crews, nine division supervisors and three agency representatives will be leaving for Quebec. One hundred and twenty-seven personnel will be departing from Kamloops to assist with firefighting efforts in Roberval, Quebec. The remaining 64 personnel will be leaving from Prince George to Maniwaki, Quebec.

Quebec is requesting additional resources through the Canadian Interagency Fire Fighting Centre. This is the second wave of B.C. firefighting personnel heading to Quebec and the third out-of-province deployment this year. A total of 402 personnel are currently assisting with firefighting efforts in Quebec and Ontario.

Crews can be deployed for up to 14 duty days, but can be recalled at any time should the situation in B.C. change. Sufficient firefighting personnel and resources remain in B.C. at all times.

Costs associated with the deployment will be covered by the receiving jurisdictions under the Mutual Aid Resources Sharing Agreement, which allows for the movement of firefighting resources throughout Canada.

Contact:

Alyson Couch
Provincial Fire Information Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 312 3052