Canadian Armed Forces reducing number of soldiers deployed in B.C.

Now that the state of emergency has ended, The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will be scaling back the number of personnel that was sent to assist in wildfire operations.

It was announced that Canadian military aircraft and approximately half of the Land Task Force will return to their home base.

The Province of B.C. announced today that @CanadianForces assistance with #BCwildfire relief will be scaled down. Most deployed CAF members are starting to head home now. 100 members continue to assist in mop-up activities. #OpLENTUS pic.twitter.com/HO0xdxfAPK

— CAF Operations (@CFOperations) September 7, 2018

During the deployment, the Canadian Armed Forces shipped 105,500 lbs of freight and transported 115 passengers that totalled over 200 flying hours. Altogether, the air task force conducted 49 trips.

“We are very proud of what our personnel have accomplished over the past weeks. We consider it our duty and privilege to help Canadians in need. The safety and security of Canadians is our highest priority, so it is important for us to respond to the call for assistance whenever required,” said Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Commander Joint Task Force Pacific.

At its peak, the CAF’s contribution to emergency efforts consisted of one CH-146 Griffon helicopter, one CH-124 Sea King helicopter, and one CC-130J Hercules aircraft and approximately 420 CAF personnel including mop-up crews, aircrew, aircraft maintainers, air movements personnel, liaison officers as well as headquarters and support staff.

The #CAF scale back British Columbia fire deployment: Canadian military aircraft and approximately half of the Land Task Force will return to their home bases as provincial authorities in British Columbia assess a reduced requirement for CAF support. https://t.co/LXMquX81Pk pic.twitter.com/gmK16GCnFD

— Canadian Forces (@CanadianForces) September 10, 2018

Although most are going home, around 100 personnel consisting of reservists from 38 Canadian Brigade Group, 39 Canadian Brigade Group and 41 Canadian Brigade Group will remain in Princeton to conduct mop-up operations.