British Columbia RCMP are reporting that four people who were traveling home after working on wildfires have died in a two-vehicle accident. Emergency crews responded to Highway 1, just west of Juniper Beach Provincial Park around 2 in the morning on Tuesday. Their pick-up truck collided with a semi. The driver of the semi got out before it was engulfed in fire. All four in the pick-up succumbed to their injures and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say in a news release that the initial investigation has determined the pick-up truck failed to navigate a bend in the road, crossing the centre line and hitting the semi head on.
Corporal James Grandy, spokesperson for the BC RCMP Southeast District says, “This year has been particularly challenging for the BC Wildfire Service, with several of its members facing injuries or losing their lives. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of those who help keep our Province safe”.

This makes six firefighter deaths in British Columbia this wildfire season.  Twenty-five year old Zak Muise died in a vehicle accident while fighting a fire in northern B.C. and 19 year old Devyn Gale was killed by a falling tree. Elsewhere in Canada, on July 15th, Adam Yeadon died while fighting a fire in Northwest Territories and on the 19th in Alberta, Ryan Gould died in a helicopter crash near Haig Lake.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh posted on social media that these four put their lives on the line to protect others. “We owe them a debt of gratitude that cannot be paid. My deepest condolences to their loved ones. We hold you all in our hearts”