Firefighters have come from across Canada to help B.C. battle one its worst fire years on record and now more support is on the way, courtesy of Australia.
The B.C. government reports a contingent of specialized wildfire personnel from Australia will be coming to B.C. to assist with wildfire response.
91裸聊视频淎bout 50 wildfire personnel, including a combination of officers and technical specialists, are scheduled to arrive in Vancouver on Wednesday, July 19,91裸聊视频� reports the BC Wildfire Service.
91裸聊视频淭hese personnel will be deployed throughout the province, based on current and anticipated wildfire activity. They could remain in B.C. for up to 38 days.91裸聊视频�
The province says the Australians91裸聊视频� expertise will help maintain the BC Wildfire Service91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频榟igh success rate for containing new fires91裸聊视频�.
They also will augment the response to existing fires by allowing B.C. personnel to take mandatory days off so they can begin another cycle of fire suppression operations.
British Columbia has fostered a mutually beneficial wildfire management relationship with Australia for more than 10 years and has a resource-sharing agreement in place with the State of Victoria.
This agreement allows for the exchange of personnel, knowledge, skills, equipment, technology and mutual support in the event of an emergency. The cost of bringing in the Australians will be covered by the Province of B.C.
Wildland fire personnel from B.C. were deployed to Australia in 2007 and 2009 to help respond to busy fire seasons there, since the height of the Australian fire season typically occurs during B.C.91裸聊视频檚 winter and spring months. Personnel from Australia also were deployed to B.C. to assist with firefighting efforts in 2009, 2014 and 2015.
91裸聊视频淭hese personnel will join more than 1,600 provincial staff, 940 B.C. contractors and over 450 out-of-province personnel already actively engaged in fire suppression in British Columbia,91裸聊视频� adds the wildfire service.
91裸聊视频淗ot and dry weather conditions have once again elevated the fire danger rating throughout the province. Most of B.C. is currently experiencing a 91裸聊视频渉igh91裸聊视频� to 91裸聊视频渆xtreme91裸聊视频� fire danger rating, which means that forest fuels are easily ignited. Firefighting crews are on standby in all six of B.C.91裸聊视频檚 fire centres in preparation for an anticipated increase in fire starts over the next few days.91裸聊视频�
The BC Wildfire Service has responded to 657 wildfires so far this season. About half of these fires were caused by lightning and serve as a reminder that as lightning activity increases, extra caution is needed to prevent person-caused wildfires. Each person-caused fire diverts critical resources away from lightning-caused fires.
Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to:
