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

Victoria-Area Drone Flying Election Banner Turns Commuters Into Captive Audience

VICTORIA — If you think the federal election is droning on, you'd be right — at least in suburban Victoria.

Victoria-Area Drone Flying Election Banner Turns Commuters Into Captive Audience

Liberal Backbencher Wants Words Mother, Father Eliminated From Government Forms

Glenn Thibeault, a member of the provincial legislature for Sudbury, says 'gendered' terminology should be replaced with gender-neutral and inclusive language.

Liberal Backbencher Wants Words Mother, Father Eliminated From Government Forms

Professor In Hearing-impaired Uproar Says Student Has 'Selective Amnesia'

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The professor involved in a controversy at Memorial University of Newfoundland says a hearing-impaired student who claims she failed to accommodate him has "selective amnesia."

Professor In Hearing-impaired Uproar Says Student Has 'Selective Amnesia'

Trial Resumes For Dennis Oland, Charged With Murder Of His Businessman Father

The trial for Dennis Oland in the death of his father, well-known businessman Richard Oland, has resumed with testimony from a police officer who was among the first on the scene.

Trial Resumes For Dennis Oland, Charged With Murder Of His Businessman Father

Dalhousie University Student Charged With Murder Back In Court Next Month

The case of a 22-year-old man charged in the death of a fellow student at Dalhousie University in Halifax will return to court next month.

Dalhousie University Student Charged With Murder Back In Court Next Month

Harper Enters French Debate With Political Allies But Bloc Backing On Niqab

OTTAWA — Stephen Harper doesn't have a reputation as a gambler, but his 2015 federal election call is shaping up as an all-or-nothing bet on another Conservative majority.