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Comox Fire hits one-month mark for wildfire assistance

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Team Comox in Bella Coola.

Comox Fire Rescue members have been assisting with the province’s wildfires for more than a month now, and the Town’s fire chief said their assistance shows no signs of slowing down.

Gord Schreiner, who has spent time in Williams Lake, 150 Mile House, Bella Coola, Clearwater and Clinton has been working as a Structure Protection Specialist (SOS) for the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

Additionally, Comox Fire Rescue has had a structure protection team and sprinkler trainer in the Bella Coola/Anaheim Lake area since July 11.

“They are providing protection to structures threatened by the Precipice fire. This fire is over 5,000 hectares and is about 20 per cent contained.”

Schreiner explained his role is to work within the Incident Command System and manage structural protection resources including engines, tenders trailers and teams.

“If a wildfire has potential to interface with structures, an SPS is deployed to develop plans and actions to aid in the protection of structures using the … assets.

“This has been a very exciting and rewarding experience; (we’re) working very long days (typically 12 hours) beside many other first responders.”

Meanwhile, Comox will continue to offer assistance until the fire is controlled or extinguished, he noted.

“Our crews there are rotating out about every seven days. Travel assistance to and from has been provided by the Canadian military. (It) has been a real eye opener for our crews with many challenges including remote locate, long drivers, several helicopter rides, bugs, wildlife, smoke, fire, etc.”

He added overall the value of the experience for local crews is excellent and helps to better prepare the firefighters should they be faced with a large interface fire locally.

In addition to Comox Fire Rescue, both Courtenay and Oyster River fire departments are assisting with structure protection by sending a team and fire engine to other interface fires, he said.



Erin Haluschak

About the Author: Erin Haluschak

Erin Haluschak is a journalist with the Comox Valley Record since 2008. She is also the editor of Trio Magazine...
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