The city of Port Alberni will once again be providing an initial attack response to wildfires within the Alberni Valley.
“Last year the city entered into an agreement with the Wildfire Management Branch for the city to provide initial attack response for the Wildfire Management Branch if they were unable to set up in the Alberni Valley,” said Port Alberni Fire Department Chief Tim Pley told council at their July 13 meeting.
With the province’s fire fighting resources maxed out by the recent hot, dry weather, Pley said the B.C. government is looking into entering a similar agreement for this year, though compensation has yet to be decided upon.
“They’re anticipating conditions will be all the more hot and dry throughout the summer,” said Pley.
Citing the earlier start to the fire seasons, council authorized Pley to begin talks with the Wildfire Management Branch in February of each year.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com