Reservists ready for wildfire fight

(Left) Army Reservist Corporal Harmanpreet Bangar of the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught‚’s Own) and Corporal Christopher Krastel of the 39 Brigade Group test out a fire hose and water distribution system during OP Lentus Training. Photos: Peter Mallett/Lookout Newspaper

On a dry and dusty patch of land at Work Point, 39 Canadian Brigade Group is busy honing their firefighting skills.

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Peter Mallett
Staff Writer

Soldiers prepared to deploy as part of Operation Lentus to help combat several wildfires burning in the Central Interior region of British Columbia. A two-day S-100 Firefighting Course at CFB Esquimalt’s Urban Search and Rescue Training Centre on July 20 and 21 involved approximately 20 Army Reservists representing various branches of the 39 Canadian Brigade Group. The course was taught by Ryan Sutton and Adam Hillsden, CFB Esquimalt Fire Fighters, both with a background in wildland firefighting in B.C. and trained to teach the course through the Canadian Forces Fire Marshall and Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.

Captain (Capt) Drew Shaw, the senior person taking the training, says Canada’s military will not be battling the towering flames of multiple wildfires burning in the Prince George region of B.C. but will provide a support role.

“We are not the experts on the front line putting out stage four, five and six fires,” said Capt Shaw. “Instead, we are the soldiers focusing on the areas that people think are safe when the big burn has moved on, but these areas are also still dangerous and problematic.”

Operation Lentus is the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) response to natural disasters in Canada, such as forest fires, floods, ice storms or hurricanes. Provincial and territorial authorities are the first to respond when major natural disasters occur in Canada, but if they need additional support, they can ask the CAF.

Army Reservist Sergeant Christopher Lenihan of 39 Signal Regiment turns earth with a Pulaski during training. Photos: Peter Mallett/Lookout Newspaper

Tools of the trade

Wearing steel-toe boots, overalls, helmets and protective hats and vests, the Reservists deploy to the fire zones primarily for logistical support to civilian firefighters and impacted communities. They put out fires with an intricate system of fire and garden hoses, all connected to a giant bladder tank resembling a swimming pool and powered by a water pump and generator.

Capt Shaw says wildfires are highly unpredictable, and conditions on the ground can change instantly.

“We expect everyone to be a sensor and gatherer of information, so it is up to each soldier in the chain to have that situational awareness and report the things they see on the ground,” he said. 

Two members of the Brigade who have been part of Operation Lentus wildfire responses in past years say the work is physically demanding and potentially dangerous.

“It’s challenging work and long days,” said Corporal Kathleen Parker of the British Columbia Regiment while testing out a fire hose on some dry underbrush. “The situation with wildfires seems to be the new normal and we will probably have to do this training every year.”

Sergeant Christopher Silver Lenihan of the 39 Signal Regiment said he was preparing for the third wildfire deployment of his career while turning over sections of the earth with his bright red Pulaski, a piece of forest fire equipment resembling an axe.

Army Reservist Corporal Kathleen Parker of the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) carries shovels used for wildfire fighting during OP Lentus Training, July 21 at CFB Esquimalt’s Urban Search and Rescue Training Centre. Members of the 39 Canadian Brigade Group will deploy to British Columbia’s central interior this month to fight wildfires. Photos: Peter Mallett/Lookout Newspaper

“It’s hazardous work and although all situations are not life threatening, people can suffer from injuries such as heat exhaustion or falls in the brush resulting in broken bones and sprains,” he said. “Safety is paramount on any deployment and our goal is to bring everyone home safely.”

The training at Work Point involved an in-class and written component focusing on the science and key elements of forest fires, firefighting operations, and civilian command structures. The other part of their training involved equipment familiarization, including how to roll and unroll a network of fire hoses and ensure water flows throughout the system.

Army Reservists of the 39 Canadian Brigade Group set up distribution lines and hoses. Photos: Peter Mallett/Lookout Newspaper

They also became familiar with exits and safety routes while working in the bush to avoid any potential fire flare-ups. This included learning about safe spots to hide if there is no exit after a fire gets out of control, such as lying in a lake or riverbed or crouching down in an outcropping of rock.

Chief Training Officer Ryan Hyland has been involved in several wildfire situations during his career and said he was impressed with the Reservists’ efforts and attention to detail during their training.

“It’s a confident group of young soldiers who know their stuff,” he said. “They all passed the written portion of their test so the remainder of their training will involve the fine tuning of their skills and any areas they need to correct before they deploy.”