B.C. Wildfire Service dropped fire retardant on a wildland fire in Laidlaw on Aug. 12, 2021. (Hope Fire Department/ Submitted)
Fire burned through an estimated 3 hectares according to B.C. Wildfire Service
When a wildland fire broke out in Laidlaw Thursday, a nearby work crew was quick to help.
The fire was in a farm field in the small community between Hope and Chilliwack, along Highway 1 and close to where the work is being done to twin the Trans Mountain pipeline.
About 80 workers from the crew, employed by Macro, called for help and jumped in immediately to help local fire crews control the blaze, which was close to the base of a mountain.
Popkum and Hope fire departments were also supported by a B.C. Wildfire air crew. The fire is currently listed on the B.C. wildfire map as three hectares and human caused, although the exact cause is still under investigation.
Hope Fire Department took to social media later in the day, with the hashtag #HelpFromFriends.
“Need help on a wildfire? You bring in the big guns including 80+ construction workers nearby from the Trans Mountain pipeline project,” they wrote on Facebook. They also shared photos from the scene, including a close-up photo of fire retardant being dropped on the fire. At least two planes were used in the firefighting efforts, and at least one helicopter dropping water.
The fire was in the mop up stage by the end of the day Thursday and is being monitored for hot spots.
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