BC Sending Fire Specialits to California

BC is sending Fire Specialists to help fight fires in California

Fire management specialists from across B.C. will be deployed to California for
up to 14 days. California has experienced a volatile fire season, with over
225,000 hectares burned. There are currently 331 active fires, and areas of
several counties remain under evacuation order. Wildfires have destroyed 36
residences, and are threatening over 9,000 others.

B.C. crews being deployed come from the Coastal, Kamloops, Southeast, Cariboo
and Northwest fire centres. They include eight Division Supervisors, who direct
and coordinate the suppression activities of multiple fire fighting crews in a
specified geographic area, six Task Force Leaders, who direct and supervise fire
suppression activities in work areas, and one agency representative.

Since April, provincial fire crews have responded to 661 fires throughout the
province, of which about 43 per cent of which were caused by lightning strikes
and 57 by people. The fire danger rating in B.C. is currently low to moderate,
with areas of high and extreme. Sufficient resources will remain in B.C. should
fire activity increase. Deployed crews may be recalled at any time should
conditions worsen.

This is the second out-of-province deployment of British Columbia fire crews
this year. Earlier this season, 67 firefighters were deployed to Alberta.
International deployments are co-ordinated through the Canadian Interagency
Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). Costs of the deployment are being paid by the
requesting jurisdiction.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most
cellular networks. For more information on open fire restrictions or for updates
on current wildfire activity, visit www.bcwildfire.ca, or call our information
line 1-888-3FOREST (1-888-336-7378).