A wildland firefighter from Ontario tragically lost his life while assisting in the battle against the largest wildfire in British Columbia’s history. The 25-year-old firefighter was working in a remote area north of Fort St. John when the UTV he was riding on rolled over a steep drop on a gravel road. He was airlifted to the Fort St. John airport, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries during transport. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, with the involvement of multiple agencies including WorkSafeBC and the BC Coroners Service. The firefighter was employed by a private company in British Columbia. The RCMP expressed their condolences to the young man’s family and fellow firefighters.
The Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, released a statement expressing his devastation over the loss of the firefighter while battling the Donnie Creek wildfire. This wildfire, burning in the Prince George Fire Centre, is the largest in provincial history at 583,153 hectares, which is twice the size of Metro Vancouver. Eby extended his sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of the firefighter, highlighting the heroism of frontline firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect others. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of workers, stating that every worker should be able to return home safely to their loved ones.
Bruce Ralston, the Minister of Forests in British Columbia, also conveyed his grief over the firefighter’s passing. He described the wildfire season as devastating and expressed his deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of the firefighter. Ralston acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by wildfire crews and expressed gratitude for their dedication in protecting the province.
BC Wildfire prioritizes the privacy of the fallen firefighter’s family and expects to provide more information in the coming days. Global News has reached out to various authorities for further details.
This tragedy marks the second death during this year’s wildfire season in British Columbia. Devyn Gale, a 19-year-old firefighter, was killed on July 13th when a tree fell on her in a remote area near Hiren Creek. A procession was held in Revelstoke to honor her, and hundreds of people paid their respects. Additionally, another firefighter lost his life in the Northwest Territories on July 15th, when he was struck by a falling tree while battling a wildfire. Two days later, a helicopter pilot was killed in a crash in northern Alberta while assisting with wildfire efforts. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the helicopter crash.