Though the 2024 wildfire season is just starting, members of Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) fire departments are already chasing flames as the situation up north has sparked the need for additional help.

In a May 14 Facebook post, the CSRD announced that a four-person crew and a Type 2 engine from the Shuswap Fire Department were deployed through the BC Wildfire Service to assist in the fire suppression efforts on the Parker Lake Wildfire near Fort Nelson.

On Saturday, May 11, Keesha Friesen from the White Lake Fire Department, Tappen-Sunnybrae fire Chief Marc Zaichkowski (team leader), Ryan Anderson from Shuswap Fire Department and Brian Dalgleish of the Scotch Creek/Lee Creek department headed out to help.

鈥淲e wish them well, and stay safe,鈥� the CSRD said in the post, adding that members of the Shuswap Emergency Program鈥檚 Emergency Support Services team are also assisting remotely in processing evacuees from the Fort Nelson area.

鈥淲e thank them for their help.鈥�

As of a May 13 update, the Parker Lake Wildfire, which was discovered on May 10 and suspected to be human caused, was listed as out of control and 8,433 hectares in size. Current resources on-site include ground crews, air support, heavy equipment and structure protection units.

Evacuation orders have been issued by the Fort Nelson First Nation and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.

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