The Yukon has requested firefighting assistance from British Columbia due to an increase in wildfire activity there, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced.

Seven three-person initial attack crews and one agency representative will arrive in Whitehorse today and be briefed by officials before being assigned to wildfires in the Dawson City area.

The personnel are being deployed out-of-province through the Northwest Compact, a mutual aid agreement between Canada's western provinces and territories, and states in the American northwest. All associated costs are covered by the jurisdiction requesting the resources.

While fire activity remains low in B.C., firefighters also continue to assist Emergency Management B.C. with the current flooding situation. The Wildfire Management Branch always maintains adequate firefighting capacity to respond to current conditions. Crews sent out of province can be recalled at anytime should the fire situation change in B.C.

Quick Facts:

• Initial attack crew: These wildland firefighters are usually assigned to newer and smaller fires.
• Agency representative: Acts as the link between the deployed crews and the Wildfire Management Branch.

Learn More:

For information on the firefighting situation in the Yukon, visit: http://www.community.gov.yk.ca/firemanagement/index.html

For the latest information on flood watches, warnings and advisories for B.C., visit:

http://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions in B.C., visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest B.C. wildfire news:

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media contact:

Erin Catherall
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre
250 319-2480