Maple Ridge Fire and Rescue will be sending four firefighters to Pemberton to help with the Signal Hill wildfire.
Fire chief Dave Samson said they received a call from the BC Wildfire Service on Friday, July 17, to see if they could send a type 1 engine, staffed with four firefighters, to assist with structural protection support.
After doing a quick assessment to see if they could send help – without reducing their level of service to the city – the firefighters were notified and were packing the engine to leave that afternoon.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Signal Hill fire, discovered on Wednesday, July 15, covers 97 hectares and was out of control as of Friday afternoon, which means that it is spreading, or is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter or control line.
Samson said he had been in touch with BC Wildfire Service in Pemberton who told him that overnight there was a high wind event with significant fire embers getting close to the community of Pemberton, home to about 3,600 residents.
The Maple Ridge firefighters who will be heading to Pemberton were chosen from a list of firefighters who had previously indicated that they would like to help out with the wildfires if opportunity arose.
They were all on their time off and were called back into service.
Samson said it is a 14-day commitment, but Maple Ridge Fire and Rescue would be sending a relief crew at the halfway point.
“We realize that’s a big commitment to be up there 14 days straight in summertime, away from their families,” he said.
The crew members were not only packing their firefighting gear, which included specialized hoses and nozzles used in battling wildfires and interface fires, but they were also bringing camping gear, like tents, sleeping bags, meal replacements, and cases of water, in case they can’t find any lodging.
Samson said his crew have received significant training over the past couple of years in order to be able to work seamlessly with the BC Wildfire Service.