Penticton to play host to hundreds of firefighters for two-day wildfire training program

Photo: Chelsea Powrie

In this Castanet file photo from 2018, a helicopter douses flames during a training exercise.

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the City of Penticton will play host to hundreds of firefighters from around the province for a Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Training Symposium.

The first event was held in April 2018, and the firefighting community decided to continue the training annually. Unfortunately, the symposiums were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.

The training aims to help improve response to wildfires, with scheduled exercises including supervised burning. Residents of the Cambpell Mountain, Wiltse, West Bench and Naramata areas may see fire service personnel and aircraft being deployed.

“The Penticton Fire Department wishes to thank all Penticton residents in advance for their patience and understanding while this essential training exercise is carried out," said Penticton fire chief Larry Watkinson.

“The knowledge gained through this event benefits not only our local firefighters and the residents they protect, but also the fire crews all around BC who respond to events involving wildland urban interface conditions."

Over the course of the three day event, residents may observe the following:

• 300+ firefighters working a simulated wildfire event
• Unfamiliar fire trucks on roadways
• Firefighters in your neighbourhood and community
• Smoke & fire on Campbell Mountain and Naramata

The parking lot at Campbell Mountain and the one next to Rotary Park will be closed for command and control staging locations. Local roads will not be closed.

Residents with questions or concerns regarding this event are invited to contact Watkinson at [email protected] or call 250-490-2309.

The symposium takes place April 23 and 24.