A six-member team from the Delta Fire Department is on its way to Spences Bridge to assist the BC Wildfire Service as they deal with the ever growing and challenging wildfires in the B.C. Interior.
Battalion Chief Drake Braslins, Captain Trevor Litchfield, Deputy Chief Darren Grant and firefighters Aaron Kokotailo, Scott Duckworth and Bryan Harris have been deployed for 10 days (two days of travel and eight in the field).
The department is also sending up a fire engine, which has a 1,750-gallons per minute pump, holds 30 gallons of A-class form and 2,500 gallons of water.
Fire Chief Guy McKintuck said the fire engine is being transported on a flatbed truck, while the firefighters will be heading up to the Interior in department pick-up trucks, which will hold their firefighting gear and personal items.
McKintuck said the BC Wildfire Service reached out to Delta for assistance on Wednesday night and since then it has been a whirlwind to get the fire engine ready as well as the firefighters getting organized for their trip.
“There are certain things we need to do to mobilize and get prepared,” he said. “We have to notify the City Manager, Mayor and Council, of which, we have and always have tremendous support from, as well, do a mechanical inspection on the fire engine. In the past we have driven up in the engine, but due to wear and tear, we felt transporting on the flatbed was more cost-effective and efficient.”
Should the crew be required to stay longer, McKintuck said a new crew will be deployed and this initial crew will return back to service in Delta.
Delta has a long history of supporting the BC Wildfire Service over the years.
“This does make me very proud and proud of our firefighters,” said McKintuck. “When you look at the pictures and the reports coming in from Lytton and the devastation in that community, my heart goes out to that community. I couldn’t imagine having one of our towns like Ladner, burn to the ground.
“Unfortunately, it is too late for Lytton, but we feel very proud that we are able to send resources to help the province stop this devastation in another community.”
