Saanich Fire Department has sent reinforcements to a fire near 100 Mile House in the B.C. interior.
Saanich Fire said in a tweet Saturday a crew and structure protection fire engine has been sent to the area to help. Deputy fire chief Dan Wood said Saanich’s municipal firefighters have received training to aid BC Wildfire and keep structures safe.
“BC Wildfirefighters concentrate on taking care of the forest burning, we can make sure that we keep the buildings from burning,” said Wood.
Saanich Fire has deployed a structure protection Engine and crew to the #100MileHouse area in support of #BCWildfire operations.
@BC_FireSafety @BCGovFireInfo #dekalake #support pic.twitter.com/GFCF5CU4qd— Saanich Fire Department (@SaanichFire) July 3, 2021
The Saanich Fire crew has been sent on a 14-day rotation to the area near Deka Lake. However, Wood said the situation could change quickly and more or fewer firefighters could be sent and rotations could change.
“It’s a moving target and as we know these wildfires change overnight,” said Wood. “More lightning strikes, more wind or even rain, which may support those operations as well.”
While the fire crew has been sent to the interior, according to Wood the fire risk on southern Vancouver Island has changed quickly over the last weeks, causing some concern.
“We are always concerned. The south coast yesterday was at high and moved into extreme,” added Wood. “So, we take all precautions and we’re always keeping an eye on and promoting fire prevention and fire safety.”
The fire near Deka Lake has an estimated size of 300 hectares and is suspected to have been caused by lightning, according to BC Wildfire Service. It is one of many fires burning in the interior after the record-breaking heat wave.
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