Feds provide federal assistance to British Columbia for wildfires

PHOTO: BC Wildfire Service/Twitter

OTTAWA — The Government of Canada has accepted a formal Request for Federal Assistance from British Columbia, which is dealing with an unprecedented wildfire situation.

Canadian Armed Forces assets will be made available to provide airlift support to transport personnel, supplies, and equipment into and out of areas affected by fires in British Columbia, and to support an evacuation in an emergency situation if required. Also, the 3rd Canadian Division maintains an Immediate Response Unit that can be deployed in response to an approved Request for Federal Assistance.

The Government Operations Centre, via Public Safety’s Regional Office, has staff working to coordinate the federal response to the situation in British Columbia.

The Government of Canada continues to monitor and assess the national wildfire situation 24/7, and along with all partners continues to assess the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on wildfire response. Significant adaptations have also been taken by provinces and territories and the Canadian Interagency Forest fire Center (CIFFC) to ensure forest fires can be managed in the context of COVID, including personal protective equipment (PPE), retrofits to fire camps, and social distancing measures.

“On behalf of all Canadians, thank you to the first responders who are working tirelessly to fight wildfires and support those in need,” Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, said in a prepared statement. “Canadians can be assured that all orders of government are working together to keep British Columbians and their communities safe.”