The Wildfire Management Branch is sending over 80 personnel to Quebec to aid in fire suppression efforts, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

Four, 20-person Unit Crews, four task force leaders and two agency representatives will depart Sunday. These personnel will be coming from wildfire bases throughout the province.

Personnel and resources from the Wildfire Management Branch are currently also deployed to Alaska, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Current conditions in B.C. make it possible to share resources, and the Wildfire Management Branch is glad to lend assistance whenever possible. Personnel can be called back at any time if they are needed in B.C.

The request for assistance was made through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, which co-ordinates 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.

Quick Facts:

• Agency representative: Acts as the link between the deployed crews and the Wildfire Management Branch.

• Unit Crew: a 20-person sustained action crew that typically works on large fires and can be self-sufficient in the field for up to 72 hours at a time.

• Task force leader: A field level position to oversee multiple resources and groups of personnel

Quote:

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

"Enough crews remain in B.C., and deployed personnel can be recalled if the situation changes. I remind all British Columbians, while they're enjoying the outdoors this weekend, to practice campfire safety and to call *5555 on their cells or 1 800 663-5555, if they see smoke or flames."

Learn More:

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:

Kevin Skrepnek
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre
Office: 250 312-3051