Prince George, B.C.- When it comes to wildfires, the summer of 2009 is shaping up to be as bad as the summer of 2003, when devastating fires raged in Kelowna and Barriere.

 

If there is good news about the situation this year, Minister of Forests and Range, Pat Bell says it comes in that there has been no loss of life, no serious injuries, and only three structures have been consumed by flames.

Although there have been discussions with the Canadian Armed Forces, Minister Bell doesn’t expect the military to be brought in at this stage.  Bell, says the Canadian Armed Forces have type three training, which means they are best trained for mop up operations. Bell says there have been discussions with the Armed Forces, but only about 250 soldiers would be available for that type of duty.

Some 550 people took advantage of the forest fire fighter training offered this summer. Half of that group is already on the ground working, and the balance will be ready to work at the end of this week.

There has been no shortage of resources to battle the fires in B.C. .  Minister Bell says there are some 400 aircraft (fixed wing and rotary) and 4,000 people working on the fires. The numbers include 570 fire fighters from Ontario, 1,000 people from B.C.’s Fire Protection Branch and another 1,000 from the Ministry of Forests and Range.