Firefighters in B.C. are getting some relief thanks to some out-of-province resources.
The BC Wildfire Service has called on Alberta to help out crews on the frontlines here in B.C.
The assistance is being brought in not necessarily because of increased fire activity, but to give our firefighters a “well-deserved rest.”
Ryan Turcot, information officer for the Provincial Fire Centre, says that they have brought in 16 type one firefighters and one agency representative from Alberta to assist in the Southeast Fire Centre.
They arrived on Wednesday, and can be deployed here for a maximum of 14 days, says Turcot.
Although most of the focus remains on the Okanagan Complex wildfires, the southeast is also experiencing high fire risk due to hot weather and dry lightning.
The firefighters being relieved in that region have either been assigned to duties elsewhere, or are being given a rest.
“We’re not planning on bringing in any additional out-of-province support above and beyond that, but we do certainly appreciate that Alberta was able to help us out here,” says Turcot.
BC Wildfire Service is trying to manage firefighter fatigue here in the Okanagan as well. Glen Burgess, Incident Commander for the Okanagan Complex, said yesterday that their biggest concern going forwards is the safety of first responders.
Regular updates as well as a more in-depth document are posted under “Map & Photos” for each of the #BCwildfire that are in the Okanagan Complex on our fire of note page: https://t.co/SHWg4QCq9a Photo shows the steep & rocky terrain crews are working on at the Goode's Creek fire. pic.twitter.com/vSslAXhF7g
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 25, 2018
Burgess says they are managing the concern by rotating shifts, swamping crews in and out, allowing some to work in different areas, and getting them out on the road earlier to maximize the earlier hours of the day when it’s cooler.
Despite the challenges of the hot weather, Burgess say they are feeling good about the progress they've made.
“We’ve made some exceptional progress and that’s due mostly in part to the work of the firefighters themselves and to our local partners, and some of the fire departments and other agencies that helped us out,” said Burgess during a media briefing yesterday afternoon.
The photo posted below is of the Mount Conkle #BCwildfire today, showing ground crews burning small pockets of unburnt fuels. This is done in order to prevent these fuels from burning in an uncontrolled fashion in the future. Success was seen on the line today as a result. pic.twitter.com/2VXSQxoh8N
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 26, 2018
Today, Marla Catherall, information officer for the Okanagan Complex, says that they are pushing the importance of hydration to fire crews here, as they are working in steep terrain with no shade in temperatures in the 30s.
Today there are 320 firefighters in the Okanagan. They are assisted by air support as needed. We have not seen any growth on any of the Okanagan Complex fires and many are either classified as under control or are being held.
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