Aerial suppression work at a fire in Kalamalka Park in May of 2023 (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Wildfire Season Preparation

Wildfire service fleet, equipment being upgraded and expanded

Feb 15, 2024 | 4:40 PM

The B.C. Government is taking steps to prepare for the next wildfire season.

The province is enhancing its response to wildfire emergency through a $16-million investment in fleet and equipment upgrades and expansion.

The investment will be used to purchase on-the-ground firefighting equipment such as pumps, camp equipment, safety gear, medical and hygiene equipment. It will also go towards upgrading firefighting equipment and fire camp infrastructure.

“As we head into the spring and summer months, we are reminded of last year’s devastating wildfires and the impact they had on people and communities around the province,” Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, said.

“The impacts of climate change are arriving faster than predicted, and alongside the task force, we are supporting the wildland firefighters who work tirelessly to protect us under the most extreme conditions. By increasing our resources on the ground and in the air, we will have a greater ability to respond to wildfires when and where they happen.”

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An additional investment has also been made with the purchase of two mass water-delivery systems, which can be used for both fire suppression and flood operations.

“I am impressed with the rapid work of the Province to put needed additional firefighting resources in service for this year,” Thom Porter, task force member nd former director of CAL Fire, stated.

“The dry winter emphasizes the need for securing these resources is now.”

It was also noted that the B.C. Wildfire Service would continue to upgrade its existing aviation fleet to include additional plane and helicopter agreements in 2024.

The provincial firefighting agency will also continue to trial night-vision technology used by aviation crews fro nighttime fire suppression operations.

The existing aviation fleet includes the air tanker and skimmer groups, light to heavy lift helicopters, and parattack jumpships.