The BC Wildfire Service is sending 80 additional firefighting personnel to Alberta to aid with wildfire response efforts there.
Four unit crews (79 firefighters) are expected to arrive in Hinton, Alberta on Sunday, May 29, to be followed by an agency representative later in the week. This is in addition to five unit crews (100 firefighters), two agency representatives and nine support personnel who arrived on Wednesday, May 25.
After being briefed in Hinton on Sunday, these personnel will be deployed to assist with the Horse River wildfire near Fort McMurray.
Crews can be deployed for up to 19 days, but can be recalled at any time should conditions change in British Columbia. Considering the current level of fire activity and forecasted decrease in fire activity throughout B.C., British Columbia is able to lend assistance to Alberta as well as Ontario. Earlier this week, B.C. sent 110 personnel to Ontario.
Sufficient personnel and resources remain in B.C. to respond appropriately to any fire activity and to continue the ongoing fire response efforts in the Peace Region.
Learn More:
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