Three members of the Blackpool Fire Department who are assisting in the fire fighting efforts near Fort Nelson/via Blackpool Fire Department Facebook

In the face of fires in BC’s northeast, the Thompson Nicola Regional District says preparation is well underway locally for this year’s fire season.

“To make sure our emergencies are well managed in our Electoral Areas, and across municipalities,” said Chief Administrative Officer Scott Hildebrand as part of his report to the TNRD Board on Thursday afternoon.  “Our dedicated Emergency Operations Center space is set up and is ready to be activated at a moment’s notice.”

Hildebrand noted the Regional District teams have already been active.

“I know our EOC team is already dealing with some smaller fires over the last few weeks in our Regional District, and communicating on a regular basis. We are ready to act as necessary,” said Hildebrand.   “We are also continuing to work with our residents on emergency preparedness education and messaging.”

He also suggests they are getting good buy-in for their FireSmart program.

“We’ve completed more than 95 FireSmart home assessments, and assessed close to 306 structures to date,” noted Hildebrand in his report.  “We have been working with our TNRD fire departments as well to help spread local emergency preparedness messaging.”

The TNRD is also lending a small hand in the fire fight in the northeast.

Three three crew members and a bush truck from the Blackpool Fire Department have been dispatched to the fire fighting efforts in Fort Nelson.