Troops from CFB Edmonton deployed to B.C. to help with wildfire support

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Dozens of Edmonton-based soldiers are deploying to B.C. to help support wildfire fighting efforts.

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The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is deploying land forces to support local and provincial authorities in response to the emergency wildfire situation after a request for federal assistance from B.C. was approved by Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair and Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan on July 20.

Out of CFB Edmonton, the land task force will be comprised of headquarters staff, two companies of between 90 to 130 personnel and service support from the Canadian Army, according to public affairs officer Lt. (N) Kevin Moffat of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.

1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry soldiers departed from CFB Edmonton to Vernon, B.C. on Friday. The troops are expected to remain in B.C. until at least Aug. 30 when the situation will be reassessed.

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In a statement, Moffat said the soldiers will provide support to the B.C. Wildfire Service by helping to suppress hot spots on existing lines to ensure full extinguishment of the fires and monitor fire lines for hold over fire and suppress as required.

Troops will also work alongside and under the supervision of the B.C. Wildfire Service in a support capacity to build new fire lines on priority fires as well as provide transport assistance where required to non-CAF personnel who are also deployed in support of the firefighting effort.

In response to the request for assistance, the CAF will be sending up to 350 personnel to help extinguish and monitor hot spots on contained fires.

According to the federal government, since early July the army has been providing airlift support to “transport personnel, supplies, and equipment into and out of areas affected by wildfires throughout the province, and to support evacuations in emergencies when required.”

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B.C. declared a state of emergency due to the wildfires on July 20. The province is currently experiencing a wildfire season “well above” the seasonal average.

As of Sunday there were 257 wildfires burning across the province, prompting a number of evacuations and alerts. Scientists have said climate change has become a major factor in Canadian fire seasons.

The wildfire season began when a fire was reported about seven kilometres south of the village of Lytton on June 17. Three weeks later, the village was destroyed by a separate blaze.

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, more than 389,000 hectares have been burned so far this year.

ajunker@postmedia.com

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