B.C. welcomes 100 firefighters from Mexico, province finalizing more out-of-province resources

ABBOTSFORD — The B.C. government officially welcomed in 100 firefighters from Mexico into Abbotsford on Saturday (July 24).

Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general for British Columbia, said the crews will undergo rapid COVID-19 testing before they travel to the Interior region. He said crews will work in B.C. for 30 days.

“I can’t tell you enough how much it means to us… that we’re receiving help from outside of our province,” Farnworth said. “The crews here from Mexico are top-rate, incredibly skilled at the job they’re going to do, and we’re so very pleased. We cannot thank the Mexican government enough for assisting us. In the fire season in other jurisdictions, we often send our firefighters down there. It’s a terrific reciprocal arrangement we’ve got.”

Farnworth added Canadian Armed Forces are continuing to send in personnel, supplies, and equipment. He said one detachment of ground crews have arrived in Vernon to receive their tasks and more are expected to arrive midweek. He added more resources from other provinces are being finalized and more information will be revealed in the coming days.

Farnworth said the Canadian Armed Forces will be “mopping up” wildfires already brought under control but are still active.

As of the Saturday announcement, there are 275 active wildfires fires in B.C. with almost 3,200 men and women fighting on the ground, along with 200 aircrafts and 100 firefighters from Mexico.