Massachusetts and New Hampshire send firefighters to help fight BC wildfires

Canada’s neighbours to the south have provided British Columbia with assistance on fighting the destructive wildfires that have plagued the province for nearly an entire month.

Late last week, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Bureau of Forestry and Fire Control and Department of Fish and Game deployed 16 state wildfire firefighters to BC to assist personnel already on the ground.

Another four firefighters have also been sent from New Hampshire, which means the New England area has contributed a total of 20 personnel to the wildfires.

“The crew will actively engage in direct fire suppression to combat the out of control fires, by working on the fire line, building fire breaks, securing fire perimeters, containing fires, and protecting important structures,” reads a release. “Due to the rural terrain and location of the fires, crews will sleep in tents or in remote fire camps.”

The American team joins not only local and out-of-province forces but also international firefighters from countries such as Mexico and Australia.

As of Friday morning, there are 122 wildfires burning in BC and an estimated 4,981 sq. kms. of land – equal to an area 43 times the size of the city of Vancouver – have been scorched.