The hope is that it doesn’t need to get used, but it is also good news when it does.
The Garibaldi Volunteer Fire Department’s new rapid response wildland truck made its debut at Lucille Lake on the weekend.
In November, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District announced it had upgraded the department’s firefighting power with the addition of the new specially tricked-out wildland vehicle.
On Sunday, the vehicle was used in its initial attack, helping to contain a wildfire at Lucille Lake, within the jurisdiction of the GVFD, according to an SLRD news release.
“At 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 9, the GVFD was called to investigate smoke reported near Lucille Lake; the fire department, along with BC Wildfire Service, confirmed a half-hectare Rank 2 and 3 wildfire and proceeded with an aggressive initial attack,” reads the release.
“By noon, the fire was contained and under control. GVFD was left to monitor the site and attack hot spots, as high winds picked up throughout the day and into the evening.”
GVFD Chief Dan Ross said the rapid response truck was vital in containing this fire quickly.
The vehicle is a rapid-response fire truck specifically designed to transport firefighters, water, pumps, hoses, and other equipment to the scene, with the ability to drive through rough terrain.
“We have said from the beginning that this new wildland truck would be a game-changer for our department, and we saw that first-hand over the weekend,” Ross said, in the release. “This is exactly the type of scenario where we need this vehicle ... Wildfire is unpredictable; these tools give us the best chance of having that upper hand and preventing a worst-case scenario situation.”
The SLRD contributed $100,000 to the purchase of the vehicle, with the additional funds contributed by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, Woodfibre LNG, and the GVFD Society.
“The contribution toward this truck was money well spent,” said SLRD Electoral Area D director, Tony Rainbow, in the release. “This is an investment that will pay off in the protection of our communities,” he said. “Having rapid response to any fire within our fire protection boundary is critical, as we have seen in other parts of B.C. and Canada how wildfires can spread very quickly if not contained in the early stages. The SLRD is grateful to the GVFD team and their ongoing work and commitment to their community.”
