Tragedy serves as reminder of 'very dangerous job'
WorkSafeBC is investigating after a 19-year-old wildfire fighter lost her life on Thursday while responding to a blaze near Revelstoke, a community in B.C.'s southeastern Interior. Devyn Gale is being remembered as a kind, selfless protector who wanted to serve her province.
Gale was struck and trapped by a falling tree while clearing brush near a small fire. She was a member of the approximately 1,600-strong team of wildfire fighters employed in the province.
Her brother, Nolan Gale, posted a tribute on Instagram saying he had an "amazing" sister. "She was careful, considerate, hardworking. She was smarter and better at what she did than she gave herself credit for," reads the post.
Gale is the first wildfire fighter to die in the province in nearly a decade. The B.C. General Employees' Union, which represents these firefighters, expressed their condolences to the family and community affected by this devastating incident.
"Our hearts and thoughts go out to [her] family and community, both at home and in the B.C. Wildfire Service," reads a union statement. "Unfortunately, incidents like today's remind us all how dangerous this work can be."
Currently, there are three wildfires burning within 50 kilometers of Revelstoke, with two of them categorized as out-of-control. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and WorkSafeBC are conducting investigations into the incident.
Late on Thursday, B.C. Premier David Eby expressed his condolences, acknowledging the dedication and sacrifices made by firefighting crews during wildfire season. "This tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder that they are often putting their lives on the line to do so," Eby stated.
There’s been outpouring of condolences on social media from various organizations and individuals. Coralee Oakes, a B.C. United MLA for Cariboo North, tweeted, "Our thoughts are with the family and friends and the entire wildfire community. We remain grateful for the work of all our B.C. Wildfire Service and people working on the frontline."
Numerous firefighters' unions and professional organizations, from Salt Spring Island to Terrace, expressed their sorrows and extended their support. The union for firefighters in Esquimalt, IAFF Local 4264, left a comment on Facebook, saying, "Sending all the love and strength to her family, friends, Crew, B.C. Wildfire service, and the BCGEU. We are saddened by this news and send our deepest condolences."
The tragic incident highlights the risks faced by the province’s wildfire fighters who are currently battling over 350 fires across the province. The BCWS has declared this year's fire season to be the worst on record in British Columbia.
BCWS spokesperson Cliff Chapman emphasized the dangerous nature of their job, telling CBC News, "This is a very dangerous job. With the conditions we are in, it makes it all that much more dangerous for our staff who are working 14-, 16-, 20-hour days trying to do everything to move these fires away from critical impacts."
In light of the escalating fire situation, the province of British Columbia has requested assistance from Ottawa and foreign allies, seeking 1,000 additional wildfire fighters to support the local crews and alleviate exhaustion.
It has been almost three years since a firefighter lost their life in the line of duty in British Columbia. The last incident occurred on July 16, 2020, when Lieutenant Ron Suits, a volunteer firefighter on Vancouver Island, suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to a large barn fire near Sproat Lake.
As the firefighting community mourns this tragic loss, the focus remains on supporting the affected family, ensuring the safety of the remaining firefighters, and continuing the crucial efforts to combat the devastating wildfires plaguing the province.
