A team of about 50 Canadian Armed Forces personnel will be based out of Kamloops for the foreseeable future to help in the fight against wildfires.

Lt. (Navy) Pamela Hogan, a public affairs officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, says it came about after a request from the province, asking for federal assistance.

“With the increase in the wildfires in British Columbia, the province initiated a request for federal assistance and on July 5, the Canadian Armed Forces were tasked to province assistance tot he province of BC in support of the fight against wildfires,” she said.

Hogan says while the men and women stationed in Kamloops will be rotated in and out, the team itself is preparing to be in the community for the entire wildfire season, if needed.

“They could offer logistic support, there’s the air crews themselves and there are support crews,” she said. “They transport personnel, equipment, and supplies in and out of areas affected by wildfires, and that is often BC Wildfire Service personnel or equipment.”

“They’re also ready to airlift people in case of evacuations, as well as ground-based resources to support logistics, sustainment, and firefighting activities.”

The military personnel will be based out of Kamloops Airport, Hogan said, adding there are two CH-147F Chinook helicopters and two CH-146 Griffon helicopters assisting the personnel on the ground. There are two more Griffon helicopters standing by in Edmonton, if needed.

A CC-130J Hercules fixed wing aircraft is also tasked to this mission though it will also be flying between the Yukon and Kamloops because of the flooding in the territory.

“We’re going to stay for as long as we’re needed,” Hogan added.