The Wildfire Management Branch is sending additional personnel to the Northwest Territories to aid in fire suppression efforts, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

One Type 1 incident management team consisting of 11 people will be joining the airtanker group that were deployed earlier in the week. This team is composed of highly trained and skilled wildfire personnel from around the province. The group will be briefed by officials in Yellowknife before being assigned to wildfires in the area.

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.

Quotes:

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson - 

“We’re always pleased to be able to lend our expertise to other jurisdictions when we are able to do so.”

Quick Facts:

• The public reports nearly half of all wildfires in B.C. Report smoke or flames by calling 1 800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

Learn More:

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions in B.C., visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca

For information on fire activity in the Northwest Territories, visit www.nwtfire.com

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

Twitter at http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

Facebook at http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contacts:

Erin Catherall, Fire Information Officer
Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 312-3051