Premier David Eby welcomed another group of international firefighters who arrived in British Columbia on Thursday to help battle destructive wildfires.
Eby spoke at Abbotsford International Airport as about additional 200 firefighters from Mexico were arriving. He said the group would likely be sent to help fight the Brunswick complex wildfires in the Fraser Canyon.
Eby said about 600 firefighters in total will be coming to support B.C.’s wildfire response from Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Canada.
An initial 100 Mexican firefighters arrived in the province on Sunday. B.C. Wildfire officials said they were deployed to the Cariboo Fire Centre to help fight the wildfires in and around the Village of Clinton.
Eby said it’s an “incredibly challenging time” for many B.C. families.
“The smoke, the uncertainty, and for some families returning to find their homes destroyed is devastating,” he said.
Thousands of people the southern B.C. have been forced to evacuate or have been told to be ready to leave their homes due to wildfire threats.
The Bradley Creek fire burning in the Central Okanagan is believed to have destroyed about 230 homes near Vernon.
Officials with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District also said about 120 properties near Clinton were burned by the Pear Lake wildfires.
The wildfire service said in an update Thursday said that hot and dry conditions were forecast across most of B.C., with the potential for lightning strikes.
Wildfire smoke is expected to linger across southern B.C. over the coming days. A provincial air quality data map shows air quality was classified as high risk or very high risk in several parts of southern interior.
Eby’s appearance on Thursday marked his public comments about the escalating wildfire situation in B.C., aside from statements on social media.
“The last thing wildfire fighters need, when they’re facing down a wall of flame is for the premier to show to hold a press conference,” he said.
Eby said he’s focused on making sure local leaders have the resources they need to respond to the wildfires.
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