Water bomber crashes in lake, pilot OK

Posted on July 10, 2015 in City, Top Story, Wildfires // 0 Comments

Fire Boss water bomber in action. (File photo, BCWMS)

NEWS/ WILDFIRES — A water bomber crashed and sank in Puntzi Lake today (Friday) while scooping water to fight the Puntzi Lake wildfire.

Few details were available about the accident, but it’s known it involved a single engine ‘Fire Boss’ water bomber and that the pilot survived. He is in hospital under observation with “minimal” injuries.

Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations Minister Steve Thompson issued a statement at 5:30 pm. confirming the crash.

“On the afternoon of July 10, 2015, an Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss amphibious airtanker working on the Punzti Lake wildfire in the Cariboo Fire Centre went down in Puntzi Lake.

“The pilot was able to exit the aircraft and was brought to shore. Initial indications are that he suffered no major injuries, but as a precaution was brought to hospital in Williams Lake for observation.

“Our thoughts are with the pilot and his family, and all of the other firefighting crews and aircraft personnel who are working on the Puntzi Lake wildfire and elsewhere in B.C.

“The Transportation Safety Board has been notified.”

The Puntzi Lake wildfire, raging since Wednesday, has reached 1,200 hectares and has forced an evacuation order and evacuation alert in the area.

“Night operations further established a containment line along the north flank,” the Wildfire Management Branch reported. “Today’s objectives are to reinforce control lines on the south and west ends of the fire and to cool hot spots along the perimeter.”

Seventy-six firefighters, three helicopters and four air tankers, plus ground equipment are engaged in fighting the fire. Thirty-five residents in the area are under evacuation orders.

The Thompson-Nicola region was encased in a dome of smoke and cloud today and remained under a smoky skies advisory. The province remains on high alert due to the wildfire situation.

There were 15 new fires in B.C. yesterday. As of noon today, there were 197 active fires through the province, with eight states of local emergency, 10 evacuation alerts and orders.