The Wildfire Management Branch is sending 13 personnel to Alberta to assist Parks Canada in carrying out prescribed burns.

Four, three-person initial attack crews and one agency representative are departing today for Waterton and Banff, Alberta.

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.

Considering the current and forecasted provincial fire situation, sufficient personnel and resources remain in B.C. to respond appropriately to any within-province fire activities. Crews can be deployed for up to 19 days but can be recalled at any time.

Costs associated with 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.

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.

• Prescribed fire can be used to safely reintroduce fire into the landscape to restore natural ecosystems, enhance habitat and reduce fuel loads. Wildfire Management Branch staff are often called upon to supply equipment and resources for these planned burns.

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
250 312-3075 (office)