B.C. Wildfire crews working the California North Complex wildfire in California.
Image Credit: Facebook / U.S. Forest Service
October 18, 2020 - 6:00 AM
B.C.'s wildfire crews received high praise for their recent efforts assisting their American counterparts in wildfires raging south of the border.
The U.S. Forest Service, said in a recent post to its website, it was "privileged" to have assistance on California's North Complex fire from the B.C. Wildfire Service.
“The members of this team feel duty-bound to assist firefighters in need in the U.S., and are eager and willing to answer the call,” the post stated. "The B.C. team brought eleven 20-person hand crews, which have extensive experience fighting wildfires in the types of terrain and fuel present on this complex. They are very adept at implementing controlled ignitions (burnout operations). At the same time, the team is learning how to fight fire with minimal water."
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Eleven, 20-person hand crews with extensive wildfire experience were sent from British Columbia to battle the blaze.
It also appears working together has benefitted both services.
In the post, B.C. Wildfire senior officer Mike McCulley said he was learning what his teams could do differently and better, including technology and communications.
“The California Interagency Incident Management team extends its appreciation and gratitude for the helping hand from the British Columbia wildfire service and wishes them well as they prepare for potential assignments in Australia,” the post stated.
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