More Soldiers Expected To Be Deployed Today To Help Battle B.C. Wildfires

The province is providing more information on how the Canadian Armed Forces is helping to assist in the battle against almost 400 wildfires burning in BC.

Emergency Preparedness Minister Bowinn Ma says the CAF will be directly involved with fighting fires and will provide two helicopters and one Hercules aircraft for mobility and logistical tasks, including evacuation of isolated communities, and planning and co-ordination support.

A reconnaissance team was deployed to Prince George on Sunday, working with the emergency operation centre and the BC Wildfire Service to determine where and how the military can best assist with response operations. Another team was sent to Kamloops.

The Canadian Coast Guard is also involved, providing a maritime staging facility for firefighting equipment and personnel, along with choppers to get into remote areas.

Ma says Indigenous Services Canada is working closely with the Province, First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of British Columbia, and the First Nations Health Authority to ensure First Nations are fully equipped to respond to evacuations.

She says the new teams will join those from Australia, as well as more than 350 international personnel currently in place from the U.S., Mexico and New Zealand.

They’ll work alongside the approximate 2,000 BC Wildfire Service personnel across B.C.