It’s been a “heavy” year for the 小蓝视频 Wildfire Service as the organization works through grief after the death of another frontline firefighter last week in 小蓝视频
, 25, was an employee of Summerland-based Big Cat Wildfire and was working as a contractor for 小蓝视频WS when he died Friday in a UTV crash at the Donnie Creek wildfire near Fort St. John.
His death follows the loss of , 19, who died on July 13 while combating a wildfire near her hometown of Revelstoke.
“There is a lot of grief, within the organization and beyond,” said Cliff Chapman, 小蓝视频WS director of wildfire operations, at a provincial news conference Wednesday.
“The loss of life is obviously tragic, and something that we haven't experienced a great deal in 小蓝视频 over the past decade or two, and it's not something that we want to experience moving forward.”
Chapman said he started with 小蓝视频WS 21 years ago as a 17-year-old firefighter.
“I have never felt the heaviness that we are feeling this season with the tragic loss of two individuals in 小蓝视频 on fires — we certainly appreciate the condolences and the support from the public,” he said.
“The truth is, it's heavy, and our people are continuing to show up every day,” he said, adding 小蓝视频WS has over the past several years poured resources into a holistic health approach for staff to keep them mentally and physically healthy and supported.
“It's not easy work, these people are leaving their families, they're leaving their livelihoods to go and support the community's efforts in the fire fight in 小蓝视频 right now."
There are currently 361 wildfires burning across 小蓝视频, 13 of those are fires of note; 1.5 million hectares of forest has burned this season, the largest figure ever recorded.
The southern part of 小蓝视频 is just entering the traditional peak of wildfire season and the bush is incredibly dry, as illustrated by the terrifying run the Eagle Bluff wildfire took Saturday night over the border near Osoyoos.
Chapman said the fire was burning at such intensity, “we can't put humans in front of that fire… it’s extremely dangerous and it is running. It is moving so fast.”
There are now 800 international firefighters, 200 Canadian Forces members and 1,500 contractors supporting over 2,000 小蓝视频WS staff in wildfire fight provincially.
Two other firefighters have lost their lives battling wildfires in Canada this season. Adam Yeadon, 25, while fighting a wildfire near his home in Fort Liard, N.W.T. Ryan Gould of Whitecourt, Alta. in that province.
