Vancouver fire sending additional crews to help with raging wildfires

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — As the state of emergency continues across B.C., additional fire crews from Vancouver are set to make the trip to Central B.C. to help with firefighting efforts.

With more than 500 wildfires in B.C., crews are being stretched to the limit, which is why Vancouver will be sending additional firefighters to Vanderhoof Tuesday morning.

RELATED: Fire departments across the Lower Mainland called in to help fight wildfires across B.C.

Assistant Fire Chief Sheldon Young says another eight-member team is being sent in to help out.

“They’re assisting with the office of the fire commissioner they’re being deployed to assist in fire suppression,” he says.

He says eight firefighters from Vancouver are already there, they made their way up on Aug. 16.

RELATED: More relief on the way for exhausted BC firefighters

Young says his staff is prepared to fight the wildfires despite the team not having to deal with many in the Lower Mainland.

“We do structural firefights for the most part in Vancouver with a few wild lands with Stanley Park and various parks but, this group is a specially trained group that is heading up, they have to have certain qualifications.”

It’s not clear how long crews will remain in the region, especially as the hot, dry weather is expected to continue for the coming weeks.

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