15.77°C Vancouver

Jul 27, 2021 3:10 PM -

Thirty-four Australian firefighting personnelset to arrive in B-C today

Share On
thirty-four-australian-firefighting-personnelset-to-arrive-in-b-c-today
Smoke particles from wildfires enhance the colour of a sunset as a motorist travels on Highway 97C near Logan Lake, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Above average temperatures for many parts of B.C. aren't expected to ease soon and Environment Canada says there is no hint of showers until at least the weekend for some regions of southern B.C. hit hard by wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Thirty-four Australian firefighting personnel are set to arrive in B-C today, joining hundreds from Mexico, Quebec, Alberta, Parks Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces as they help battle some 250 wildfires burning across the province.

The B-C government says the group from Australia will include one nine-person incident management team, various specialized leadership roles and technical specialists who will be deployed under the direction of the B-C Wildfire Service.

It says out-of-province personnel are working under strict COVID-19 protocols.

More than 35-hundred people in total are involved in fighting operations across B-C, where the fire danger rating is listed as either high or extreme across swathes of southern Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

Latest news

WorldApr 29, 2026

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill five in 24 hours; arrests reported in West Bank

At least five people were killed and seven others injured in Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The ministry said that during a ceasefire period in place since October, a total of 823 people have been killed and 2,308 injured. It added that since Israel began military operations in Gaza in October 2023, the cumulative death toll has reached 72,599, with 172,411 people reported injured. The figures have not been independently verified. Israeli authorities have not immediately commented on the latest reported casualties. In
one-dead-one-injured-in-targeted-shooting-in-surreys-newton-area
CanadaApr 29, 2026

One dead, one injured in targeted shooting in Surrey’s Newton area

A man is dead and another was taken to hospital with minor injuries after a shooting in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood on Tuesday evening, according to police. Surrey Police Service Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said the incident occurred at 7p.m. in the 6800-block of 148 Street. Officers responding to reports of shots fired found two victims inside a vehicle parked in a residential driveway. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to police, CCTV footage shows a silver car attempting to reverse out
WorldApr 29, 2026

Pakistan says ceasefire efforts ongoing in Middle East, signals possible U.S.–Iran talks

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says efforts to maintain a ceasefire in the Middle East are continuing, crediting Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement with helping keep the truce in place. According to statements attributed to Sharif, Pakistan is working to ensure the ceasefire holds and that peace initiatives do not lose momentum. He said there would be no relaxation in efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation. Officials familiar with the discussions indicate that Pakistan is again attempting to bring United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. Reports suggest a new roun
bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-as-global-risks-weigh-on-outlook
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% as global risks weigh on outlook

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive decision to hold rates, according to its latest monetary policy report. The central bank also maintained its deposit rate at 2.20 per cent. Governor Tiff Macklem said ongoing conflict in the Middle East and evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping global trade patterns and adding uncertainty to the economic outlook. According to the bank’s report, the Iran-related tensions have reduced growth prospects in oil-importing countries while contributing to higher inflation
federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm

Related News