B.C. sends crews to Yukon to battle forest fires

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – B.C. is sending firefighting crews to the Yukon to help the territory deal with a growing number of wildfires.

A news release says B.C.’s wildfire management branch is sending three attack crews from the northwest fire centre and the Cariboo fire centre and one unit crew from Prince George.

They will be heading to Carmacks, about 175 kilometres northwest of Whitehorse, where the fire danger is currently rated as extreme.

The Yukon government requested assistance through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, which co-ordinates resource sharing between the provinces and territories.

The B.C. wildfire management branch says there are currently no significant wildfires in the province, which means the province is able to use its resources elsewhere.

Crews can be deployed for up to 19 days, but they could be recalled any time if they’re needed in B.C.