August 16, 2010
Manitoba Sends Forest Firefighters to British Columbia
Manitoba Conservation’s Fire Program will be sending 40 experienced firefighters to support crews battling wildfires in British Columbia, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced today.
“Manitoba is pleased to lend some skilled hands to assist in B.C. in their battle against fire,” said Blaikie. “The exchange of firefighting support among Canadian jurisdictions means in good times we can help our neighbours and in bad times they’re there for us.”
At this time, Manitoba’s forest-fire situation allows the province to send 40 experienced people to help battle wildfires in British Columbia. The crews are co-ordinated through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The agency provides assistance with fire-crew management and information sharing on behalf of all provinces and territories, and other jurisdictions such as the United States.
To date, there have been 561 fires in Manitoba this fire season, consuming approximately 149,834 hectares. Approximately 237 were caused by humans and 324 were caused by lightning.
Earlier this year Manitoba dispatched two water bombers and a birddog aircraft to assist in Quebec. In the past, the province’s CL-215 water bombers have aided efforts in Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Minnesota, and experienced forest firefighters have helped out in Alberta, B.C., Montana, Oregon and Yukon.
The Manitoba Conservation Fire Program focuses its efforts on the protection of lives and preservation of property and timberland.
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