Hola to more firefighters

Photo: File photo

More than 100 Mexican firefighters are coming to the aid of BC wildfire crews.

Help is coming from the United States and Mexico in the fight against B.C. wildfires.

In all, 108 wildfire personnel from Mexico will arrive this week, and are expected to be deployed to wildfires in the Interior on Friday. This is the first time Mexican firefighters have come to B.C.

As well, 27 firefighters from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan were brought in over the weekend.

"Given the severity of B.C. wildfires this year, we greatly appreciate the ability to draw on personnel from beyond our borders. We thank all incoming crews, as well as all our B.C. crews and contractors in their ongoing firefighting efforts,” said Doug Donaldson, minister of forests, lands, natural resource operations and rural development.

The cost of bringing in the international resources will be covered by the provincial government.

Hot and dry weather conditions have kept a persistently high fire danger rating throughout B.C.

Firefighting crews are on stand by in all six of B.C.'s fire centres in preparation for an anticipated increase in fire starts over the next few days due to unsettled weather in the forecast, which may bring lightning.