Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan, right, along with B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth are briefed on major Interior wildfires on Tuesday by the Canadian Armed Forces (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

NATIONAL DEFENCE VISIT

National defence minister visits Kamloops to learn more about assistance needed for B.C. Interior fires

Aug 3, 2021 | 4:20 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Minister of National Defence made a special visit to Kamloops on Tuesday, meeting with the Canadian Armed Forces, which for the last month has been based near the Kamloops Airport assisting with the dozens of fires burning in the B.C. Interior.

Harjit Sajjan was joined by B.C.’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, getting a better sense of the supports the military, the province, and the people need during this critical time.

“For me, it’s a great opportunity, especially with Minister Farnworth, to be able to look at where things are at, where is the current situation, and try to determine what type of support is needed — how long we’re going to be here — because that allows us to coordinate the rotation of troops,” Sajjan told CFJC Today.

There are nearly 300 personnel in Kamloops that are part of the Ground Task Force, while 49 are helping through the air.

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All the efforts by the Canadian Armed Forces have worked to relieve some of the pressure of the BC Wildfire Service firefighting personnel.

“When you have the federal government, the provincial government, local government all working together the way they are, you can have the efficient deployment of resources to where they’re needed and when they’re needed,” said Farnworth. “That’s been the most important contributions that the Canadian Forces make in terms of fighting the fires. It’s being able to assist in moving people to where they’re needed, helping evacuations in cases, but it’s all about that integration, that team work.”

The integration between the armed forces and the BC Wildfire Service has only become stronger since the fire season of 2017. Military personnel say lessons were learned and have been implemented this fire season.

“We have learned every single [fire season],” noted Sajjan. “The synchronization they have with the BC Wildfire Service when it comes to coordinating of helicopter support. It allows them to be able to move resources and troops around, whether it’s our helicopters or our hercules aircraft as well.”

The Canadian Armed Forces expect to be staying into September, given the current fire situation. There are 259 fires burning right now across the province with 29 starts in the last two days. The most active fires — 76 — are in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

It’s not the worst Minister Sajjan has seen, but he says this string of bad fire seasons points to one thing.

“All I can say is if there’s anybody that doesn’t think climate change is real, just take a look around. Look at the impact it has on people’s lives and this is why we have to take it seriously,” he noted.

During his visit to Kamloops, Sajjan also made a point to pass along his well wishes to Lytton residents who lost their town. He vows to provide all the federal support necessary to help the village rebuild.