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Are Â鶹Éç¹ú²úfirefighters deployed to combat current B.C. wildfires?

Decision assessed daily, says Â鶹Éç¹ú²úfire chief. 
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The department is currently recruiting new paid on-call firefighters. Applications are being accepted until Sept. 15.

The District of Â鶹Éç¹ú²úFire Rescue has deployed crews to help protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure in places outside Â鶹Éç¹ú²úover the last few years. 

So are local firefighters out of town on any of the current fires such as the Downton Lake fire burning in the Upper Bridge River Valley or those in other areas such as Kelowna? 

Currently, Â鶹Éç¹ú²údoes not have a crew deployed for wildfire response in the province, but this is assessed daily and could change at any point, according to newly-minted Â鶹Éç¹ú²úFire Rescue Chief Aaron Foote, who recently took over the position from Bill Stoner, who has taken on a new position. (This will soon be more formally announced, according to the District.)

Foote said the department is working with the Office of the Fire Commissioner to determine what resources are needed in B.C. and if the Â鶹Éç¹ú²úfire department can help.

"The decision on or when we deploy comes down to an assessment of the District of Squamish's current ability to assist, fire danger rating locally, and if we have the resources to help other communities without placing our community at greater risk with the deployment," Foote said in an email to The Â鶹Éç¹ú²ú. 

The department is currently recruiting new paid on-call firefighters. 

There are currently 370 active wildfires in B.C. 

In Squamish, the current

Campfires are banned in Â鶹Éç¹ú²úand the Sea to Sky.

To report a wildfire or irresponsible behaviour that could start a wildfire in British Columbia, call 1 800 663-5555 or (*5555 from a cell phone) as soon as possible.

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