The Wildfire Management Branch is sending 88 personnel and two fixed-wing aircraft to Alberta to aid in fire suppression efforts, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

Eighty sustained action firefighters, eight support personnel and two fixed-wing aircraft will initially be stationed in Edmonton but they will then be deployed elsewhere in Alberta as determined by current fire activity and projected need. They will depart tomorrow.

This 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 Canadian jurisdictions. Costs associated with this request will be covered by Alberta under the Mutual Aid Resources Sharing Agreement, which allows for the movement of firefighting resources throughout Canada.

Due to rainfall and cooler temperatures in many areas of B.C., the fire danger rating has subsided significantly over the last few days. Most areas of the province are currently at a “low” or “moderate” fire danger rating.

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

While there are currently no campfire prohibitions in effect in the Wildfire Management Branch’s jurisdiction, the public is asked to take all necessary precautions when having fires of any size. Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the campfire area and must have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire. Please make sure your campfire is kept small, safe and supervised at all times.

Quote:

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

“B.C.’s wildland firefighters and support personnel are recognized as some of the world’s best. We’re pleased to be able to lend assistance to other provinces whenever we can.”

Quick Facts:

• Fire danger ratings are based on readings from over 200 weather stations throughout the province.
• Campfires cannot be larger than a half-metre wide by a half-metre high.
• During the 2014 wildfire season, B.C. imported over 1,275 additional personnel and resources from all 10 Canadian provinces, as well as Yukon, Alaska and Australia.

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 Contacts:

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