Due to an increase in wildfire activity, B.C. is sending 23 firefighting personnel to the Yukon announced Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson today.

One agency representative, three initial attack crews from the Cariboo Fire Centre, four initial attack crews from the Prince George Fire Centre, one regional wildfire coordination officer from the Kamloops Fire Centre and one regional wildfire coordination officer from the Prince George Fire Centre will be deployed tomorrow.

This is the third out-of-province deployment this year. Current conditions in B.C. make it possible to share resources and the Wildfire Management Branch is glad to lend assistance whenever possible.

The request for assistance was made through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, which coordinates the mutual sharing of firefighting resources between B.C. and other jurisdictions. Costs associated with deployment are covered by the receiving jurisdictions under the Mutual Aid Resources Sharing Agreement.

Quote:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"We're glad we can assist our neighbours to the north without compromising our ability to respond here in B.C."

Quick Facts:

• Initial attack crew: These teams of three 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.

• Regional wildfire coordination officer: A senior wildfire officer who is responsible for coordinating personnel and resources for wildfire response throughout a geographic region.

Learn More:

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

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

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Media Contact:

Navi Saini
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
250-312-3051