File photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Wildfire Death

Firefighter passes away assisting BC Wildfire Service in battling Donnie Creek wildfire

Jul 29, 2023 | 3:09 PM

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A contract firefighter passed away while helping the BC Wildfire Service’s efforts battling the Donnie Creek wildfire north of Fort St. John.

In a news release issued Saturday (July 29) afternoon, B.C.’s Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston says he was informed that the firefighter succumbed to their injuries.

“I am heartbroken that another firefighter was lost protecting our communities and our province during this devastating wildfire season,” Ralston states. “My deepest sympathies are with their family and friends, as well as their colleagues and the broader wildfire community – many of whom I know are still coping with the tragic loss of a colleague earlier this month.”

Fort St. John RCMP say they were told of a workplace fatality involving a wildland firefighter contracted to the BC Wildfire Service shortly before 11 a.m. Friday (July 28).

Police learned the 25-year-old firefighter was working in a remote area nearly 150 kilometres north of Fort St. John when the UTV he was riding on rolled over a steep drop on a gravel road. He was sent by helicopter to the Fort St. John Airport but succumbed to his injuries while en route.

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The firefighter was from Ontario and contracted by a private B.C. company.

RCMP states it, along with the BC Coroners Service, WorkSafeBC and the BC Wildfire Service are investigating.

As of Saturday, the BC Wildfire Service lists the Donnie Creek wildfire at 583,153 hectares in size – the largest in B.C.’s history.

In a separate statement, Premier David Eby says the province will have more to say once more details are available.