Would-Be Firefighters Flood B.C. Wildfire Service With Applications

The Canadian Press, 27 Jan, 2016 01:23 PM

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — There is no shortage of candidates to fill the estimated 200 vacant positions expected this summer with the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Provincial information officer Kevin Skrepnek says just under 1,500 applications were received by the Jan. 24 deadline.

He says the number is above average, exceeding applications received in 2015.

But Skrepnek notes submissions usually climb in the year following a busy fire season.

More than 1,800 blazes were recorded during what the Wildfire Service calls a "major" season in 2015, with homes lost in Rock Creek and Puntzi Lake, while total fire fighting costs topped $282-million.

Successful 2016 Wildfire Service applicants must first survive a rigorous interview and screening process before being invited to boot camps slated for Merritt in April and May.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. Anti-Gang Squad Report Reveals Brutal Side For Women In Gangs

British Columbia's anti-gang squad is putting a more public face on the gang lifestyle — and it's not pretty.

B.C. Anti-Gang Squad Report Reveals Brutal Side For Women In Gangs

Vancouver Cops Mum On Use Of Covert Cell Phone Surveillance Technology

Vancouver police are refusing to disclose whether they use, or have ever considered using, a controversial mass-surveillance device widely adopted in the United States and vigorously condemned by civil liberty groups.

Vancouver Cops Mum On Use Of Covert Cell Phone Surveillance Technology

Bail Hearing Postponed Again For Marco Muzzo, The Alleged Drunk Driver Accused Of Killing Four

Marco Muzzo appeared briefly in court by video link Thursday and was remanded until Nov. 26, when he will again appear by video.

Bail Hearing Postponed Again For Marco Muzzo, The Alleged Drunk Driver Accused Of Killing Four

Liberal Government Still Holding Back Detail On Syrian Refugee Plan

Neither Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nor Immigration Minister John McCallum would clarify whether private sponsors will play a role in their plan to resettle 25,000 Syrians.

Liberal Government Still Holding Back Detail On Syrian Refugee Plan

20-Room Mansion In Quebec Fetches $13.25 Million, Royal Lepage Says

The realtor says the house in the province's Estrie region is situated on a more than 280,000 square-foot property, surrounded by lake and mountain views.

20-Room Mansion In Quebec Fetches $13.25 Million, Royal Lepage Says

Ontario Gives Municipalities $333 Million From Gas Tax To Fund Public Transit

Ontario generates about $2.4 billion a year from its 14.7 cents-a-litre tax on gasoline, and gives two-cents-a-litre to cities and towns to expand public transit.