More than 200 B.C. firefighters and related personnel, including 44 from the Prince George Fire Centre, are heading to the U.S. to help battle extreme fire activity.
The firefighters are being deployed to Redmond, Ore. and will be deployed as needed to assist with the dire wildfire situation.
British Columbia is also in direct contact with Oregon and Washington about the potential to send an additional 200 personnel in the coming days and weeks.
“Here in British Columbia, we’ve been fortunate to have experienced a moderate wildfire season, but our neighbours to the south have not been so lucky,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
“B.C. firefighters who are willing to be deployed out of the country during this challenging time deserve a lot of credit for their professionalism.”
Given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the province and in the U.S., the B.C. firefighters and staff will be taking precautions to safeguard the health of everyone participating.
BC Wildfire Service personnel will remain within their own “bubble” and conduct their firefighting operations separately from American firefighters, as co-ordinated by the U.S. Forest Service and other relevant authorities.
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