The BC Wildfire Service says that a helicopter had to carry out a “forced landing” close to Pemberton on Wednesday.
B.C.’s Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar, says the helicopter was carrying members of an initial attack crew of firefighters responding to an active blaze.
Everyone on board survived.
“I’m relieved to let you know that all the occupants are accounted for and there are no critical injuries. First responder agencies are on site,” said Parmar at a press conference in Victoria.
According to the BC Emergency Health Services, two ambulances with primary care paramedics responded to the scene at Airport Road in Pemberton after 11:50 p.m.
“The patients were brought out by helicopter with the assistance of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to two patients who were transported by ground ambulance to a health care facility in stable condition. Two other patients did not require ambulance transport to the hospital,” said Paramedic Public Information Officer Brian Twaites.
BC Wildfire Service reports five active wildfires near Pemberton. Three blazes east of it are out of control, with the Bastion Peak wildfire being the largest, currently 66 hectares in size.
Two other blazes are west of Pemberton, while one of them is out of control, and the other one is being held and is currently five hectares in size.