FREDERICTON (GNB) – A new group of New Brunswick firefighters is travelling to British Columbia to help battle forest fires in that province.
A division supervisor and a strike team leader from the Department of Energy and Resource Development left today for Kamloops. They will join other New Brunswick staff already in British Columbia: a pump mechanic in Prince George and two division supervisors in Kamloops.
On Tuesday, four forest rangers and four fire crew members are heading to Prince George.
“Based on the recent weather conditions we are experiencing here in New Brunswick, we are again able to assist British Columbia,” said Energy and Resource Development Minister Rick Doucet. “Crews we sent in July returned following their two-week mobilizations and were here when our conditions were at their most extreme. We are proud of the men and women who make up our strong fire crew in New Brunswick, and they are glad to be able to help out our fellow Canadians on the west coast.”
Tuesday’s mobilizations will bring to 64 the total number of New Brunswickers who have spent time assisting in British Columbia this summer.
New Brunswick is a member of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, which helps co-ordinate mutual aid among provinces and often co-ordinates the sharing of resources with the United States and other countries. Last year, New Brunswick sent 77 firefighters to provide assistance in Alberta and Nova Scotia.
21-08-17