Local firefighters are on the wildfire front lines.
The Agassiz Fire Department recently dispatched a fire engine to assist B.C. Wildfire Service in response to the fires in the Interior. This is the second such deployment during this busy wildfire season. The district states that the AFD remains well-equipped to handle local emergencies.
“The District of Kent remains committed to assisting with the province-wide response to the 2021 wildfire season while ensuring sufficient resources remain in the area to handle local incidents,” District of Kent Mayor Sylvia Pranger said in a statement.
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According to Agassiz fire chief Gerald Basten, the local fire engine was originally dispatched to Logan Lake and has since assisted many communities in the fight to bring wildfires in the Interior under control. Agassiz firefighters fought wildfires in the Lytton/Spences Bridge area last month.
In addition to handling local heat waves and flood watches, Kent-Harrison Emergency Support Service (ESS) volunteers are ready to help teams in neighbouring areas who are supporting and hosting wildfire evacuees. The district works closely with Fraser Health when hosting clean air and cooling shelters, both of which have been provided this summer.
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For residents who Residents who want to help evacuees at Chilliwack Secondary School, ESS is as of Aug. 17 looking for volunteers to welcome evacuees, assisting in filling out paperwork and providing general support to ESS volunteers.
Those interested can contact emergency program coordinator Chris Wilson by email only at wilson@chilliwack.com with your contact information, general availability between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Training and meals will be provided.
For more information about the district’s emergency program and how to prepare for emergencies, visit kentbc.ca.
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