B.C. wildfire fighter killed responding to blaze outside Revelstoke
CBC
A British Columbia wildfire fighter died Thursday after being injured responding to a blaze, the B.C. Wildfire Service confirmed late Thursday night.
The crew member, a young woman, was battling a wildfire outside of Revelstoke — a community in B.C.'s southeastern interior, about 150 kilometres west of the Alberta border — said the B.C. General Employees' Union, which represents the approximately 1,600 wildfire fighters employed in B.C. each year.
"Our hearts and thoughts go out to [her] family and community, both at home and in the B.C. Wildfire Service," read the statement.
"Each and every one is committed to ensuring that their fellow members return from work safely while protecting our resources and our communities. Unfortunately, incidents like today's remind us all how dangerous this work can be."
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) did not say which fire the crew member was battling or how she was injured. As of 10 p.m. Thursday evening, there are three wildfires burning within 50 kilometres of Revelstoke, and two are considered out-of-control.
RCMP and WorkSafeBC are investigating the death, a BCWS spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement to CBC News.
While the BCGEU did name the individual, CBC News is verifying whether her next of kin have been notified.
Late Thursday evening, Premier David Eby shared his condolences for the "tragic incident."
"Day in and day out during wildfire season, our firefighting crews go to heroic lengths to keep people and communities in B.C. safe. This tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder that they are often putting their lives on the line to do so," Eby said in a news release shortly after 11 p.m. PT.
"This is a tremendous loss for everyone involved with the B.C. Wildfire Service at an already challenging time, and our hearts are with them all."
Condolences for the crew member's loss began to pour in on social media Thursday evening, including from the B.C. Federation of Labour and an MLA.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends and the entire wildfire community," wrote Coralee Oakes, a B.C. United MLA for Cariboo North, in a tweet just before 10:30 p.m. "We remain grateful for the work of all our B.C. Wildfire Service and people working on the frontline."
Other firefighters' unions and professional organizations, from Salt Spring Island to Terrace in the province's north, shared their sorrows.
