NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008FOR0109-001102 July 15, 2008	Ministry of Forests and Range
B.C. TO RECALL AIRTANKERS, REQUESTS YUKON ASSISTANCE

VICTORIA – The B.C Forest Service has requested four aircraft from the Yukon to assist provincial crews, due to anticipated fire starts, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

 

“The warming and drying trend is expected to continue throughout the province,” Bell said. “As the risk for fire starts increases, it is important we have necessary resources readily available.”

 

B.C. is requesting three air tankers to drop fire retardant, and one birddog aircraft to guide the air tankers’ activities. To maintain sufficient resources in B.C., two air tankers and one birddog will be returning to the province from California, and will be available for fire suppression activities by Wednesday morning.

 

Since April, provincial fire crews have responded to 762 fires throughout the province, of which about 41 per cent of which were caused by lightning strikes and 57 by people. Sufficient resources will remain in B.C. should fire activity increase. Deployed crews may be recalled at any time should conditions worsen.

 

The public reports nearly half of all wildfires. If smoke or flames are visible, please call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks. For more information on open fire restrictions or for updates on current wildfire activity, visit www.bcwildfire.ca, or call our information line 1-888-3FOREST (1-888-336-7378).

 

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Media contact:	Gwen Eamer Fire Information Officer 250 356-7873 (office) 250 818-5140 (cell)
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