Two Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) fire departments have sent crews to help fight fires in the B.C. interior.
Errington Volunteer Fire Department and Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department have sent reinforcements to the area with Errington sending a spare engine and three crew members and Coombs-Hilliers sending two members and a water tender.
The crews will be working for two weeks in Osoyoos.
RDN Chair Tyler Brown said in a statement Friday the fires crews have the training to help in wildfire suppression and are able to help those in the area.
“We are fortunate to have the capacity to free up some of our resources to assist this very serious situation in Osoyoos,” said Brown. “Our thoughts are will all who are affected by the wildfires.”
The opportunity to help others is a significant moment for Jenny Jones of Coombs-Hilliers Fire, who says she’s following in her dad’s footsteps.
“I grew up being so proud of watching my father fight wildfires. He passed away in 2013 in a Line of Duty death,” said Jones. “The brotherhood and love that was shown began to open my eyes to trying a new path. I am honoured to help the communities in need during this dangerous summer situation.”
The RDN says the support for the wildfires won’t affect local fire response or services in the district. They say fire departments in the region are working to minimize impacts to any one department.
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