Canadian Armed Forces respond to wildfires in British Columbia 

In the wake of the devastating wildfires that continue to consume parts of British Columbia, the Canadian Amed Forces (CAF) has deployed air assets, liaison and personnel to aide the Province of British Columbia with the emergency response.

“Skilled and dedicated Canadian Armed Forces personnel always stand ready to help fellow Canadians in need. Partners across the Government of Canada, including the Canadian Armed Forces, will continue to provide support to the Province of British Columbia as they fight these wildfires and will continue to do so as long as the need exists,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister in a statement.

CAF members deployed to British Columbia are working alongside Public Safety Canada, other federal parters and the Province of British Columbia to ensure a synchronized response. These soldiers will not conduct law enforcement or security tasks.

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The CAF has deployed a CC-177 Globemaster III, a CC-130J Hercules, two CH-147F Chinook, and three Ch-146 Griffon to British Columbia.

The air assets will support a variety of tasks including the evacuation of local population and assisting ground operations by providing airlift capacities to first responders and equipment.

More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes because of the wildfires, caused by weeks of hot weather and strong winds. The fires began Friday and raged on throughout the weekend.

There are currently more than 130 wildfires burning across the province, and according to some reports, the situation could worsen because of shifting weather and the winds.