B.C. wildfire fighter killed responding to blaze outside Revelstoke

UPDATE, July 14, 2023: B.C. wildfire fighter, 19, died after being hit by falling tree while responding to blaze: RCMP

A British Columbia wildfire fighter died Thursday after being hurt while responding to a blaze.

The crew member, a young woman, was battling a wildfire outside of Revelstoke — a community in B.C.'s southeastern Interior, about 150 kilometres west of the Alberta border — according to the B.C. General Employees' Union, which represents the approximately 1,600 wildfire fighters employed in B.C. each year.

"Our hearts and thoughts go out to [her] family and community, both at home and in the B.C. Wildfire Service," read a statement.

"Each and every one is committed to ensuring that their fellow members return from work safely while protecting our resources and our communities. Unfortunately, incidents like today's remind us all how dangerous this work can be."

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) confirmed the woman's death, but did not say which fire she was battling or how she was hurt. As of Friday morning, there are three wildfires burning within 50 kilometres of Revelstoke, and two are considered out-of-control.

RCMP and WorkSafeBC are investigating the death, a BCWS spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement to CBC News.

While the BCGEU did name the individual, CBC News is verifying whether her next of kin have been notified.

Late Thursday, B.C. Premier David Eby shared his condolences for the "tragic incident."

"Day in and day out during wildfire season, our firefighting crews go to heroic lengths to keep people and communities in B.C. safe. This tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder that they are often putting their lives on the line to do so," Eby said in a news release shortly after 11 p.m. PT.

"This is a tremendous loss for everyone involved with the B.C. Wildfire Service at an already challenging time, and our hearts are with them all."

Condolences for the crew member's loss began to pour in on social media Thursday evening, including from the B.C. Federation of Labour and an MLA.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends and the entire wildfire community," wrote Coralee Oakes, a B.C. United MLA for Cariboo North, in a tweet just before 10:30 p.m. "We remain grateful for the work of all our B.C. Wildfire Service and people working on the frontline."

Other firefighters' unions and professional organizations, from Salt Spring Island to Terrace in the province's north, shared their sorrows.

"Sending all the love and strength to her family, friends, Crew, B.C. Wildfire service and the BCGEU," the union for firefighters in Esquimalt, IAFF Local 4264, wrote in a comment on Facebook.

"We are saddened by this news and send our deepest condolences."

Federal Minister of Emergency Awareness Bill Blair said the woman's death "is a tragic reminder of the risks our firefighters are facing."

'A very dangerous job'

The crew member killed Thursday was one of about 2,000 wildfire fighters who are currently battling more than 350 fires across the province.

This year is expected to be B.C.'s worst fire season on record, according to the BCWS.

"This is a very dangerous job. With the conditions we are in it makes it all that much more dangerous for our staff who are working 14-, 16-, 20-hour days trying to do everything to move these fires away from critical impacts," BCWS spokesperson Cliff Chapman said Thursday.

The province asked Ottawa and foreign allies earlier Thursday or 1,000 foreign wildfire fighters to help battle the blazes and relieve tiring local crews.

The death on Thursday is the fourth linked to B.C. wildfires since 2010.

John Phare, 60, was killed in 2015 while working on a blaze on the Sunshine Coast, northwest of Vancouver. Two air tanker pilots, Tim Whiting and Brian Tilley, died when their plane went down south of Lytton in July 2010.