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B.C. asking feds for wildfire assistance
With weeks of fire season remaining, and forecasts for continued hot, dry conditions that carry the risk of further lightning strikes, the B.C. government has requested assistance from the federal government for its firefighting efforts.
“This is an urgent situation, and the safety of British Columbians is our highest priority,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Due to the increase in the number of wildfires affecting communities and the extreme wildfire behaviour we are seeing, we’re asking for federal assistance for additional resources that may be needed to protect the public, property and infrastructure.”
As of the morning of Monday, Aug. 13, there were 27 evacuation orders affecting approximately 3,100 people (1,537 properties), in addition to 43 evacuation alerts impacting approximately 17,900 people (8,909 properties).
Two of those evacuation orders are in the East Kootenay, with nine properties in the Cross River area evacuated and Kootenay Park Lodge in Kootenay National Park evacuated due to the Wardle wildfire.
There are also four evacuation alerts covering 196 properties in the region: for one property at Yahk; for 10 properties at Corbin; for 65 properties in the St. Mary Valley; and for 121 properties at Ta Ta Creek.
More than 3,400 dedicated wildfire personnel are responding to some 600 wildfires currently burning in all areas of the province. This includes BC Wildfire Service crews, contractors, municipal firefighters, industry personnel and out-of-province crews from throughout Canada, as well as Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.
“We’re bringing in the additional resources we need to keep people and communities as safe as possible,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “I thank the federal government and the Canadian Armed Forces for their assistance, and also ask British Columbians to do their part by following burning bans to prevent human-caused fires.”
The Province of British Columbia is requesting:
- Two hundred self-sufficient personnel to perform the mop-up and patrol of contained fires, under the supervision of the BC Wildfire Service. The BC Wildfire Service will provide the required personal protective equipment, firefighting equipment and incremental training as required for these tasks.
- Heavy-lift aircraft to reposition wildfire crews and equipment to new fire starts that threaten communities. These aircraft will assist with the resupply of existing operations (fire camps, air bases, etc.), which will permit BC Wildfire Service aircraft to be directed to the firefighting effort from resupply tasks.
- Aircraft for emergency transport of injured personnel and to help evacuate people in remote areas, should evacuation routes be compromised.
To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call *5555 on a cellphone, or 1-800-663-5555, toll-free.
Lead image: An Airspray tanker at Canadian Rockies International Airport. e-KNOW photo
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