2026 Wildfire Season

[SeaKingTacco]

I was the lead on building the MARLANT WLFF (Wild Land Fire Fighting) DOM OPS/HADAR kit last year as I was N/J 4 Sup - 2 for MARLANT/JTFA.

If it wasn't for my Army experience I probably would have fallen down that same rabbit hole. But I designed a pack up for Naval Coy of 120 people, inclusive a fully staffed and operational CP, and CSS support and of course the actual WLFF teams.

We, as the CAF, have a hard time seeing beyond the sexy font page stuff.

It is also difficult justifying spending time, energy and resources on an activity that is a Provincial Mandate.

Yes, I know- the CAF gets called anyway.

 

[Halifax Tar]

It is also difficult justifying spending time, energy and resources on an activity that is a Provincial Mandate.

Yes, I know- the CAF gets called anyway.

100%. But I will tell you Commanders jump at these opportunities. These tasks are feel good tasks with good press.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

100%. But I will tell you Commanders jump at these opportunities. These tasks are feel good tasks with good press.

Yeah, because instead of doing our real job of generating combat capable forces to defend Canada, we should definitely look for feel good tasks outside our Constitutional mandate.

Perhaps we should also plant trees, pickup garbage and stand around street corners in case some little old lady needs help crossing.

My point: everybody in Canada needs to start doing their actual jobs. The CAF needs to defend Canada with Armed Force.

The Provinces need to deliver healthcare and wildland firefighting, without running to the feds for help every summer.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Yeah, because instead of doing our real job of generating combat capable forces to defend Canada, we should definitely look for feel good tasks outside our Constitutional mandate.

Perhaps we should also plant trees, pickup garbage and stand around street corners in case some little old lady needs help crossing.

My point: everybody in Canada needs to start doing their actual jobs. The CAF needs to defend Canada with Armed Force.

The Provinces need to deliver healthcare and wildland firefighting, without running to the feds for help every summer.

I am not disagreeing with you brother. Just stating my lived experience.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Yeah, because instead of doing our real job of generating combat capable forces to defend Canada, we should definitely look for feel good tasks outside our Constitutional mandate.

Perhaps we should also plant trees, pickup garbage and stand around street corners in case some little old lady needs help crossing.

My point: everybody in Canada needs to start doing their actual jobs. The CAF needs to defend Canada with Armed Force.

The Provinces need to deliver healthcare and wildland firefighting, without running to the feds for help every summer.

What we're seeing is exactly that in action.

Over time, BC has significantly upgraded its response capabilities as a result of several years of big, bad fires.

Now we just have to wean the CAF off of the 'rescue junkie' limelight adrenaline pump.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

I am not disagreeing with you brother. Just stating my lived experience.

I know that you know.

There are still folks out there that feel the CAF should, every April, find the nearest phone booth to put our capes on and rush to the rescue of the Provinces.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

What we're seeing is exactly that in action.

Over time, BC has significantly upgraded its response capabilities as a result of several years of big, bad fires.

Now we just have to wean the CAF off of the 'rescue junkie' limelight adrenaline pump.

I acknowledge that the Provinces are improving capacity.

 

[dapaterson]

Yeah, because instead of doing our real job of generating combat capable forces to defend Canada, we should definitely look for feel good tasks outside our Constitutional mandate.

My point: everybody in Canada needs to start doing their actual jobs. The CAF needs to defend Canada with Armed Force.

So SAR techs should be in camouflage and do CSAR, and leave the fluorescent orange jump suits to the CCG

 

[SeaKingTacco]

So SAR techs should be in camouflage and do CSAR, and leave the fluorescent orange jump suits to the CCG

As a matter of fact…

DND is specifically mandated to do air/sea rescue. In the past, that logically meant the CAF did it.

Now that CCG is part of DND, I wonder….

 

[Cloud Cover]

I just watched the leaked videos of the alleged start of the wildfires in Summerland.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

I just watched the leaked videos of the alleged start of the wildfires in Summerland.

Can you link them here?

 

[foresterab]

I don’t know if they still have the contract, but Fireweed was phenomenal. BCWS doesn’t f@&$ around there.

Fireweed is probably the top caterer on fires in Canada. They are very very good but are also run by a couple of ex BCWS crew members. Situation is not the same all over and some frankly I'd prefer to eat MRE's. But overall food is a major consideration in both quality and quantity as it will make or break deployments.

 

[foresterab]

Arsonist(s) on the loose in the Okanagan/Shuswap…

BCWS has their investigators whom I am sure are talking to the RCMP. Arson is a criminal offense so interesting to see the CBC article re: looking for leads. But either way I am 100% certain there is a group of folks working behind the scenes that won't be in the media much looking into this.

I won't speculate re: origin/cause of the fires or methods used though but some good staff with BCWS to do that work professionally.

 

[MilEME09]

Defense miniser says CAF is ready if asked for support, im surprised the province hasn't asked for federal assistance yet

Military ready to assist B.C. with wildfire relief efforts, Ottawa says

B.C. Interior blaze has displaced more than 20,000 people, growing dramatically over the weekend

www.theglobeandmail.com

 

[daftandbarmy]

Ouch

7.3K reactions · 759 shares | My family made it out safely. Fish Lake Rd, Summerland Bc 6:30pm August 7th, 2026 This was my view once I decided it was time to get moving. The wind was starting to push trees over and I realized the road might become

My family made it out safely. Fish Lake Rd, Summerland Bc 6:30pm August 7th, 2026 This was my view once I decided it was time to get moving. The wind was starting to push trees over and I realized...

www.facebook.com

 

[Altair]

Defense miniser says CAF is ready if asked for support, im surprised the province hasn't asked for federal assistance yet

Military ready to assist B.C. with wildfire relief efforts, Ottawa says

B.C. Interior blaze has displaced more than 20,000 people, growing dramatically over the weekend

www.theglobeandmail.com

Pleasantly surprised.