SOPFEU sends additional resources to British Columbia

SOPFEU sends additional resources to British Columbia

Quebec’s forest fire fighting organization SOPFEU, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forests, Fauna and Parks (MFFP) is increasing its assistance to British Columbia by deploying a team of 9 major fire specialists, as well as 5 sections of 20 firefighters, comprising of 47 forest firefighters and 53 auxiliary workers. Their departure is scheduled for July 23.

This new loan of resourses brings the number of Quebecers deployed to fight fires in various other provinces to 156. The first cohort of firefighters completed their 14 day tour outside the province and returned to Quebec this week. According to SOPFEU, this will not have an impact on the fire situation in Quebec.

« The current situation in Quebec and the weather conditions allow SOPFEU to loan resources to its colleagues in other provinces without impeding its capacity to operate in Quebec », a SOPFEU release stated (Translated)

Situation in Quebec
Since the start of the season in Quebec, the 439 fires in the intensive protection zone have affected 7,675 hectares of forest. On average, 443 fires occur each year, affecting 18,390 hectares of forest in Quebec. SOPFEU asks that the public remain vigilant during the summer months.