Fires Crews from Alberta and Ontario Coming to B.C. To Help

By 250 News

CAMPBELL RIVER - British Columbia is preparing to welcome crews from Ontario and Alberta as fire activity increases in the province, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

"With the two large fires our crews are fighting in the north and south, and the current outlook for continued warm and dry weather, we're taking advantage of the resource-sharing agreement we have with
other provinces, and asking for additional crews," said Bell. "I urge us all to be vigilant with campfires and other open burning, especially during the summer months."

Ontario crews will arrive today and are expected to stay for 14 days.  Among the staff are 60 firefighters, two fire behaviour specialists, one fire behaviour specialist apprentice, and one agency representative. These personnel will be deployed to the Smith River fire.

Alberta crews arrived yesterday at the Kamloops Fire Centre and are expected to stay for 14 days. The staff includes a seven-person incident management team.

The Smith River fire, along the Alaska Highway, has grown to an estimated 20,537 hectares as a result of volatile weather conditions.
The Tyaughton Lake fire, 65 kilometres west of Lillooet, is now estimated to be 8,000 hectares in size. Strong winds combined with low humidity and high temperatures have resulted in increased fire behaviour for these two fires.

Wildfire fighters from the Cariboo Fire Centre responded to 22 new fires since yesterday.

A severe lightning storm is suspected to be the cause of these fires. The largest is estimated to be 2.5 hectares and is burning south of Twan Lake, west of Soda Creek. Fire crews responded last night with air tankers dropping retardant to guard the blaze and helicopters on site bucketing. Today, 20 fire fighters will be patrolling the fire and mopping up any remaining hot-spots.

The Cariboo Fire Centre is expecting more lightning in the forecast for today, and will be monitoring the weather closely to ensure quick response to any new fires.

The fire danger rating in British Columbia is currently moderate to high, with pockets where the rating is extreme in the central and southern Interior.

Since April 1, fire crews have responded to over 489 fires across the  province, 84 per cent of which have been human-caused.

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