Emergency Responders

On July 17th, 2024 a dry lightning storm worked its way over the Interior of BC, starting hundreds of wildfires all at once during a period of draught. A great amount of resources were deployed to protect people, animals and structures from the flames. This project captures the emergency response to the Slocan Lake Complex Wildfires, using data collected from the responding organizations and input from the public. We would like to thank all organizations that have contributed with data to this project, including BCWS, RDCK, RCMP, SAR, Interior Health, Conair, Reitmeiers Logging and other local players.

BC Wildfire Services (BCWS) is the main lead when it comes to responding to wildfires in BC. They employ many other contractors, both local and from afar. Subcontractors include flight companies, first aiders, heavy duty machinery and tree fallers. Next to BCWS there are other organizations involved, such as the Regional District, EMCR, BC Hydro, RCMP, Telus, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, volunteer Fire Departments, security companies, Village Offices, insurance companies, Search & Rescue groups, BC Parks and more.

The physical interactive map in New Denver shows the arrival of the emergency responders and where they came from; on this page we show the summarized ever-growing list of the emergency responders that worked hard to keep our communities safe. Did we miss anybody? Let us know below with the contact form!

BC Wildfire Servicesnumber of crewstotal number of people
Initial Attack – Type 1624
Unit Crews- Type 115330
Contract Crews – Type 21580
Contract Crews – Type 318110
Contract Crews – First Aid1836
Contract Crews – other13
Structure Protection / Defence Crews55150
Incident Management Teams594
Single Resources124143
Aviation (Fixed Wing Aviation by Conair)11 planes16
Aviation (Rotary Wing, diverse companies)7+15+
Heavy Equipment8787
Total Responders (contracted by) BCWS1068
Volunteer Fire Departmentstotal number of people
Slocan (town evacuated)8
New Denver20+
Total Responders28+
RDCKoperated intotal number of people
Emergeny Operation Centre (EOC)Nelson25
Emergency Support Services (Ess)Slocan, Castlegar, Nakusp, Kaslo, New Denver?
Resiliency Centre – DPS TeamSlocan, Silverton?
RDCK Structure Protection Crewsincluded in BCWS crews
Security (contracted)Silverton, New Denver, Lemon Creek16
Total Responders?
Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readinesstotal number of people
Management6+
Total Responders6+
RCMPtotal number of people
Incident Commander1
Tac Troop16
Admin1
New Denver Officer2
Total Responders20
BC Conservation Officer Servicetotal number of people
BC Conservation Officer6
Total Responders20
BC Parkstotal number of people
Arrow Area Ranger2
Total Responders2
BC Hydrototal number of people
Line Crew – Nakusp4
Line Crew – Revelstoke5
Line Crew – Vernon1
Virtual Emergency Operation Centre15
Total Responders25
SAR (Search and Rescue)total number of people
Kaslo10
Nakusp7
Nelson9
Castlegar3
Total Responders29
SIFCo total number of people
Management & resources3
Fire Smart Coordinator + RCA1
SIFCo Resiliency Centre Staff5
Total Responders9
Interior Healthtotal number of people
High Acuity Response Team (HART) + driver3
The Pavilion Long-term Care staff, New Denver8
Interior Health Manager1
Busdriver + Truck drivers6
Staff Castleview Care Centre, Castlegar7
Staff Minto House, Nakusp7
Staff Victorian Community LTC, Kaslo7
Total Responders39
Other Responders (in search of data)total number of people
Telus
Intact Insurance
Other….
Total Responders
If you know of emergency responders that played a role during the 2024 Slocan Lake Complex fires, and that you don’t see listed yet, then you can use this form to message us. The following information will come in handy for us: 1. The name of the emergency responder (company or party). 2. The town that they operate from. 3. A potential contact for them. Thank you for your contribution!
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