Over a three-day period starting April 22 through to April 24, 300 firefighters from over 40 jurisdictions across BC will join their peers from the City of Penticton Fire Department in attending a Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Training Symposium.
The inaugural event was held in the spring of 2018 and proved such a success that the Penticton Fire Department has decided to continue the training annually.
Designed to help improve knowledge of and response to wildfires, the symposium will include scheduled training exercises involving supervised burning and the active and visible deployment of fire service personnel, fire apparatus and aircraft in the Campbell Mountain, Wiltse area, West Bench neighbourhoods and Naramata.
Residents and visitors to the affected areas are advised that the exercises and training performed is being carried out by knowledgeable and experienced professionals, with safety and property protection being the top priority.
“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
Additionally, the parking lot at Campbell Mountain and 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
Fire Chief Larry Watkinson at larry.watkinson@penticton.ca or call 250-490-2309.