Help coming in battle against wildfires

Local forest fires may soon been fought by personnel in yet another new uniform. In addition to the BC Wildfire Service professionals, and the international/out-ofprovince crews who have been called in to help, the Canadian Armed Forces are also set to send in troops and other resources to help the forest fire 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.”

The official request issued to Canada’s military included: Two perform self-sufficient personel 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.

The precise details were not disclosed by deadline of what the Canadian Armed Forces will provide, but two federal ministers did confirm that the general answer was yes to B.C.’s official plea for help. Minister of defense Harjit Sajjan said via Twitter, “In response to a request for assistance from officials in BC, our @canadianforces will be deployed to support the wildfire fighting effort. Our women and men in uniform are always ready to help when called upon. Thinking of my fellow BCers as they face this difficult time.”

A tweet from Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Ralph Goodale added, “We have accepted an official request for assistance from the Province of BC to help in the fight against the wildfires. Through air support & personnel, the Government of Canada will support affected communities & First Responders who are courageously taking on this battle.”

Local fire information officer Amanda Reynolds was not sure if military personnel were headed to the fires around Prince George, but said it was possible due to this being an area of particular concern.

“The resource request has been made but where they are going is not yet determined. They will be allocated as they are best suited to provincial priorities,” she said.

The closest of the notable fires is the Shovel Lake blaze north of Endako (slightly northwest of Fraser Lake).

This fire is more than 30,000 hectares in size.

“Yesterday (Sunday) was a calmer day for Shovel Lake. Crews took the opportunity to prepare for forecasted winds today (Monday),” Reynolds said, adding that the Monday wind turned out to be less strong than anticipated.

The attack force there includes 113 firefighters and 52 pieces of heavy equipment.

In addition to the Shovel Lake inferno, another major fire of note is ablaze to the west of Quesnel. The Narcosli Creek fire is almost 4,000 hectares but crews have been making gains on this one.

“Yesterday (Sunday), successful burn operations were completed to remove unburned fuels from the fire’s path,” said a Cariboo Fire Centre bulletin. “The fire is now 80 per cent guarded around the fire’s perimeter. Night operations with heavy equipment and ground crews worked throughout the night. Crews will focus on strengthening containment lines on the west and south flanks.”

There are 104 firefighters, five helicopters and 10 pieces of heavy equipment actioning this site.

Another of the larger local fires, the Island Lake Wildfire south of Francois Lake, showed no growth overnight Sunday, giving crews a chance to add containment guards to that 13,000-hectare event.

The Blackwater River Fire west of Quesnel and south of Cluculz Lake has burned more than 4,500 hectares so far and is zero per cent contained, as is the 9,700-hectare Chutanli Lake Fire burning south of Fort Fraser and west of Hixon near Tatelkuz Lake.

These round out the most adjacent fires to Prince George.

Altogether the province is contending with about 600 wildfires (see story, page 5, for more coverage.)