Wildfire fighter bootcamp behind smoke near Merritt

MERRITT, B.C. — Smoke near Merritt on Friday and Saturday (April 24 and 25) is likely no cause for alarm as the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is giving new recruits live fire training.

The BCWS said its New Recruitment Bootcamp includes igniting and extinguishing small burn piles to simulate a wildfire response.

Exercises will take place near Lundbom Lake, about 13 kilometres east of Merritt, and Coutlee Plateau, approximately five kilometres southwest of Merritt.

“These exercises are an important part of our annual New Recruit Bootcamp and provide participants with valuable experience learning to respond to live fire in a training environment,” said the BCWS in a public statement.