The province of British Columbia confirmed that a contracted firefighter lost his life while battling the Donnie Creek wildfire near Fort St. John. Premier David Eby expressed his sorrow in a statement, extending heartfelt condolences to the fallen firefighter’s family, friends, and colleagues. He stated, “On behalf of all British Columbians, we grieve this terrible news with you.”
Although the firefighter has not been named officially, the Fort St. John RCMP identified him as a 25-year-old from Ontario. He was employed by a private company in B.C. that was contracted to work with the BC Wildfire Service.
The incident leading to the tragic loss occurred when the firefighter was operating in a remote area. While riding a UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) on a gravel road, the vehicle rolled over a steep drop. The RCMP reported being notified of the accident on Friday, just before 11 a.m. He was immediately airlifted to Fort St. John Airport via helicopter, but sadly, succumbed to his injuries during transportation.
This marks the second firefighter death in British Columbia and the fourth in Canada during this year’s historic wildfire season. The previous casualties include 19-year-old Devyn Gale, who lost his life due to a fallen tree while fighting a fire near Revelstoke on July 13. Subsequently, on July 16, a firefighter in the Northwest Territories died battling a blaze near Fort Liard. Then, on July 19, 41-year-old helicopter pilot Ryan Gould lost his life in a crash while fighting a fire near Haig Lake in northern Alberta.
Premier Eby acknowledged the profound impact of this year’s wildfire season, expressing gratitude to the fallen firefighter and all others who courageously battle these fires daily. He reiterated their extraordinary sacrifices to keep communities safe.
The RCMP, BC Coroners Service, WorkSafeBC, and the BC Wildfire Service are investigating the latest tragic loss of the firefighter. The incident is under scrutiny to understand the circumstances surrounding the accident and to learn from it to prevent similar incidents in the future.