Maple Ridge firefighters deployed to Big Bar Complex wildfire in B.C. Interior

Two Maple Ridge firefighters deployed to battle the Big Bar Complex wildfire in the B.C. Interior had to go above and beyond even before they arrived at their destination.

Capt. Steve Franklin and firefighter Noah Redfern were on their way to the Big Bar Complex fire, southwest of 100 Mile House, when they encountered another blaze as they passed through Cache Creek on Tuesday morning, July 21. Flames were coming from underneath a parked semi-trailer. Working quickly, they extinguished the trailer fire and continued toward their destination.

The Big Bar Complex includes multiple fires combined in name by the BC Wildfire Service, including the Fiftynine Creek wildfire, first discovered July 17, which is burning out of control at 10,277 hectares.

Franklin and Redfern were initially deployed last Friday, July 17, as part of a four-person crew to the Signal Hill wildfire by Pemberton to provide structural protection support. However, they were sent home within 24 hours after fire conditions improved and the fire was held at 105.5 hectares. That's when Maple Ridge Fire Chief Dave Samson received a call from the BC Wildfire Service requesting aid for the Big Bar Complex.

For this deployment, the firefighters took a Type 1 tactical tender — a large water tanker — which Samson determined could be deployed without impacting service to the Maple Ridge community. The deployment starts as a 14-day commitment that can be reduced by the BC Wildfire Service. "We're thankful for two people who were willing to deploy up there," Samson said.