The much-anticipated firefighting reinforcements from Mexico arrived in Osoyoos last night and are now undergoing briefings before boots hit the ground tomorrow, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
Dani McIntosh, BC Wildfire Service information officer for the Nk’Mip Creek wildfire said the 101-strong continent will spend the day today getting familiarised with the Nk’Mip Creek wildfire and ongoing operations.
This includes learning about the landscape and hazards that come along with working in this landscape and getting set up to be prepared to join the fireline. The plan is for the group to join the operation tomorrow.
The contingent – drawn from across Mexico – consists of 98 firefighters, a Covid-19 coordinator and an agency representative. The firefighters arrived in Canada on Saturday and underwent rapid Covid-19 testing upon arrival, were then briefed in Chilliwack before flying to Kamloops to connect with their transport before travelling to Osoyoos.
Currently, the firefighters are bunking at the Spirit Ridge Resort but will be moving to a fire camp over the next couple of days, McIntosh said. The location of the camp has not yet been determined she added.
This is not the first time the province has been given a hand by Mexican firefighters with the first contingent coming 2017, and then again in 2018.
According to a spokesperson from the Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre (PWCC), “all the feedback we’ve had has been incredibly positive, they are very highly skilled and highly trained and we are very grateful for their support.” She added that they are also highly skilled at operating in difficult terrain.
