A handful of Coquitlam firefighters have been assisting with the wildfire fight in the Interior and more could soon join them.
Fire Chief Wade Pierlot told The Tri-City News Monday that he has deployed the department’s sprinkler protection unit along with a chief officer and four firefighters. The crew will use the equipment to protect vital infrastructure, including telecommunications towers, bridges, mills and mining structures.
“They have had quite the experience,” he said. “The fire has been a Rank 5 — Rank 6 is the worst. They have had to abandon their positions several times.”
The unit is currently near 108 Mile Ranch and Pierlot said he is considering a request to send another sprinkler protection system and more staff to assist where needed.
Wildfires have been burning out of control across the Interior, destroying homes and leading to the evacuation of more than 14,000 people. As of Tuesday, more than a dozen notable blazes were burning in areas west of Prince George, around Williams Lake, north of Kamloops and near Princeton. A blaze in the Coastal Fire Centre was also burning east of Harrison Lake.
The sprinkler protection unit can be towed to remote locations and set up to protect important structures that are in the path of a moving wildfire. The equipment can either use pre-filled bladders or tap into local water sources. Crews can then leave the scene and return when the fire has died down or passed through the area.
“It works quite well,” said Pierlot. “It is amazing what it is able to save and it doesn’t put anybody at risk.”
While sending resources to other jurisdictions is common during wildfire situations, the Coquitlam department benefits from the training and experience, Pierlot said. Given that the municipality borders a forest along its northeast boundary, the training could be crucial should a forest fire occur closer to home, he said.
Even with staff and the sprinkler protection unit deployed to the Interior, Pierlot said Coquitlam has reserve equipment should the unit be needed closer to home. He also noted that municipalities’ costs for the deployment is covered by the provincial government.
“We recover all costs through the province,” he said. “It doesn’t cost the city taxpayers.”
With the hot and dry conditions in the Lower Mainland, Pierlot warned residents to be cautious about disposing cigarette butts and other potentially flammable materials.
Meanwhile, Port Moody Fire Rescue has sent Deputy Chief Gord Parker to the Interior after a request came in from the provincial Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC). The veteran firefighter has been asked to act in a supervisory and command role at a blaze at the Bonaparte Indian Band near Ashcroft.
“Further, Port Moody Fire Rescue continues to be in contact with the OFC and is monitoring the physical resource needs of Interior firefighters,” said Fire Chief Ron Coulson. “At this time, we remain on standby in this regard.”
Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief Nick Delmonico said his department is assessing whether to send emergency social services personnel and staff for the emergency operations centre.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
• To donate $10 to the Canadian Red Cross BC Fires Appeal, text FIRES to 45678. Larger donations can also be made through the Red Cross website at redcross.ca.
• BC Liquor Store customers can give $2, $4 or more at the till the next time they make a purchase, with all proceeds going to support those affected, providing evacuees with food, water and shelter.
@gmckennaTC
