Canadian Armed Forces wrap up Operation Lentus in response to BC wildfires, as another starts

Chief Warrant Officer Steve Chagnon (center), Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, prepares with his Chain of Command to fly to Hay River on a CC-138 Twin Otter in the city of Yellowknife, as part of Operation Lentus 23. Photo: Sailor First Class Patrice Harvey, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

2Lt Vatsal Shah
MARPAC Public Affairs Office

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This article addresses the initial Operation LENTUS that took place in the Houston and Vanderhoof regions. There is another Operation LENTUS ongoing in B.C., taking place in Northern B.C. 

After four weeks of dedicated support to British Columbia Wildfire Service (BCWS), Joint Task Force Pacific (JTFP) stood down Operation (Op) Lentus on Aug. 14 with the conclusion of the Province of British Columbia’s Request for Federal Assistance (RFA).

Op Lentus is the Canadian Armed Force’s (CAF) response to natural disasters in Canada.

The operation saw the deployment of members from 3 Canadian Division (3 Cdn Div), 39 Canadian Brigade Group, and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) assets and personnel to areas in B.C. heavily impacted by wildfires, including Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, and Kamloops.

Members from 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, spray water and break up ground to extinguish hotspots during Operation LENTUS near Burns Lake, British Columbia, on 13 August 2023. Photo credit: Corporal Alexandre Brisson, Visual Communications Support, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Their mandate is to provide assistance and logistical support to partner agencies, including BCWS, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness in B.C., to ensure the safety and welfare of Canadians impacted by the wildfires.

The land component, led by 3 Cdn Div, consisted of elements from the 3^rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry (3 PPCLI), 1^st Battalion (1 PPCLI), and 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER). They undertook crucial roles, including firefighting, route reconnaissance, perimeter patrols, equipment recovery, and controlled burns.

On the aerial front, the RCAF provided airlift resources for mobility and logistical tasks. Their fleet was comprised of one CC-130 Hercules, 2 CH-146 Griffons, and a CC-138 Twin Otter. The CC-130 Hercules was pivotal in transporting 185 international firefighters—105 from Brazil and 80 from Mexico—to the front lines. Meanwhile, the CH-146 Griffons facilitated reconnaissance and the insertion and extraction of firefighters in remote areas. The Twin Otter focused on personnel transport. The Air Task Force, a team of approximately 40 personnel, was backing the air operations. This group drew members from various wings and squadrons across Canada, including 408 Transport Helicopter Squadron in Edmonton and 440 Transport Squadron in Yellowknife, bolstered by support staff from 2 Wing Bagotville, 8 Wing Trenton, and 19 Wing Comox.

The collaborative effort with other agencies was key to the success of Op Lentus. The CAF worked closely with BCWS and the RCMP, harmonizing their operations to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness. The conclusion of the RFA follows the provincial determination that CAF resources were no longer required, marking a significant milestone in the containment of wildfires.

In concluding remarks on this mission, Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson said, “I am immensely proud of all the CAF members who deployed in support of the British Columbia Wildfire Services and am inspired by the effects they achieved in containing the wildfires and restoring conditions on the ground. BZ!”