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ALBERTA FIRES

BC Wildfire personnel to help Alberta battle ongoing wildfires

May 21, 2019 | 12:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — Nearly 270 wildfire personnel in B.C. will be heading to Alberta to help with firefighting efforts due to an “increasing wildfire threat” in that province.

BC Wildfire Service says in a news release that the B.C. crews will be deployed on Wednesday (May 22) and Thursday to help where needed throughout Alberta.

The Chuckegg Creek wildfire in Alberta has led to thousands of people leaving their homes due to an evacuation order. That fire crept within three kilometres of the High Level town line as it grew over the weekend.

BC Wildfire says 230 firefighters, three agency representatives, a 19-person incident management team, and 14 supervisors will make their way there.

All associated costs will be covered by the jurisdiction that requested assistance from B.C.

“Considering the current and forecasted fire situation in British Columbia, sufficient personnel and resources remain in the province to respond appropriately to any fire activity here,” BC Wildfire says in the release. “Crews can be deployed out-of-province for up to 19 days, but can be recalled at any time.”

With files from The Canadian Press.