Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson officially opened the new $4.74-million Provincial Wildfire Training Centre and Merritt Fire Zone office today.

Thomson was joined at the ceremony by Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart, Merritt Mayor Susan Roline, Wildfire Management Branch staff and other guests from the community.

Construction crews broke ground on the project in October 2012, and the building was completed at the end of August 2013. It houses an expanded Merritt Fire Zone office and the Provincial Wildfire Training Centre. It will also be used as a strategic operations base for out-of-province firefighters during busy wildfire seasons.

The new facility, with a floor area of 1,332 square metres (14,300 square feet), provides space for up to 58 staff, storage areas for firefighting equipment and three classrooms to support field training. The facility will enhance wildfire monitoring and response capabilities in the Merritt Fire Zone - one of the busiest fire suppression regions in British Columbia.

The provincial government leased the 2.176-hectare site for the centre from the City of Merritt. The 25-year lease was signed on Sept. 21, 2012 and the government has an option to renew it for another 25 years. The building was designed by Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd. and constructed by Mierau Contractors Ltd.

The Provincial Wildfire Training Centre will deliver top-notch training programs for the entire province, allowing firefighter recruits and seasoned veterans to learn new firefighting techniques or fine-tune existing skills.

Quotes:

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

"Protecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of British Columbians requires significant investments in training, equipment, infrastructure and technology. This new facility is the latest example of our government's financial commitment to that goal."

Mayor of Merritt Susan Roline -

"This new firefighting facility is an exciting development in the City of Merritt and will provide many economic benefits to our community. We enjoy an excellent working relationship with the Wildfire Management Branch, and we are looking forward to strengthening those ties."

Quick Facts:

• The Merritt Fire Zone is one of seven fire zones that make up the Kamloops Fire Centre.
• It is the largest fire suppression zone in the province, responding to an average of 92 wildfires annually (with a season-high total of 161 fires in 2009).
• The Merritt Fire Zone is home to five full-time staff and 53 seasonal staff, including fire officers, four three-person initial attack crews and two 20-person sustained action unit crews.
• A 20-person sustained action unit crew, based in Princeton, also reports to the Merritt Fire Zone office.
• On average, the Wildfire Management Branch deals with more than 2,000 wildfires in British Columbia each year.
• About 92 per cent of all wildfires in B.C. are contained at less than four hectares.

Learn More:

Wildfire Management Branch: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

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Media Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261