Nanaimo firefighters answer urgent Clinton mutual aid call

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Flames continue to threaten the community of Clinton and surrounding areas, including 70 Mile House. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

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NFR had indicated at the start of the fire season they would likely be able to send resources, if asked.

Whiting said it hasn’t always been the case.

“We haven’t participated in deployments in past years because we haven’t had the resources either through staffing for equipment resources, but we’re in a position now where we have a reserve engine we can send…so we can help out.”

He expects the four who left before the long weekend will return by the end of the week, and be replaced by another four-firefighter NFR crew.

Days are long for those on scene, often starting around 8 a.m. and working 12-14 hour days.

Both the personnel and equipment can be called back at any time, should the local fire situation change.

A relatively quiet fire season locally also helped local officials make an ultimately easy decision to send resources to Clinton.

“Our first priority is always fire protection for the City of Nanaimo. We’re in a position now where we do have some reserve engines, so we can send one up and still have enough engines here for backup as well. We have enough staff now, so that we’re able to send a crew up and still have enough here.”

The expansive Pear Lake wildfire is part of a multi-fire grouping dubbed the Big Bar Complex. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

Whiting added the move was also about being a good provincial partner.

“Other areas of the province are being hit hard, they really need the help in terms of trying to protect structures in these areas. We have the resources that we can lend, so it’s just helping out other citizens of the province with the knowledge that if we ever that help on the Island, those departments will come and help us.”

The Pear Lake wildfire, which is threatening the community of Clinton, is estimated to be around 1,150 square kilometres in size.

Several other large fires are also burning nearby but are not actively threatening communities.

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