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Canadian Armed Forces on way to Williams Lake

The members will be assisting at checkpoints and supporting RCMP on the ground in Williams Lake
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Members of CFB Edmonton stop in Quesnel Friday morning, on way to Williams Lake (Tracey Roberts/Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

Some of the roughly 200 members of the Canadian Armed Forces set to help battle B.C. wildfires will soon be arriving in Williams Lake.

A convoy of army vehicles were in Quesnel Friday morning, from CFB Edmonton, and stopping in Prince George Thursday night.

The members will be working checkpoints and supporting RCMP on the ground. The province’s request for military support does not include deployments in an armed or law-enforcement capacity.

RELATED: Australian firefighters bring experience to the B.C. wildfire battle

The provincial government announced that 150 additional Canadian Armed Forces members are on their way to help with the B.C. wildfire situation, during a tour and meeting with evacuees in Kamloops Thursday.

Army leaving quesnel

Posted by Quesnel Cariboo Observer on Friday, July 21, 2017

“This is an unprecedented emergency, and it’s a welcome relief to get more boots on the ground from the Canadian Forces to support the enormous amount of provincial resources going into managing this event with the RCMP, wildfire fighters, EMBC and literally thousands of volunteers working as hard as they possibly can,” Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said.

“I want to thank our Canadian Government and Canadian Forces for yet again stepping up and offering their support to help during our time of need,” he added.

With the CAF’s added support and resources, the RCMP will be able to continue their duties of protecting people, their communities and property in addition to assistance they are providing to the emergency.

“The Canadian Armed Forces are part of the larger Government of Canada safety and security family. Like family we help out when and where we are needed. We are proud to support our RCMP colleagues, and all of our federal and provincial partners, engaged in keeping Canadians safe during this time,” said Rear Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific/Joint Task Force Pacific.

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