In the event of a wildfire where Ontario Wildfire has been called, it is important to understand what to expect from them.
When they arrive on scene, especially when arriving in a helicopter, the crew will start by orbiting the fire several times in order to get an accurate assessment of the fire and the situation in general. This is an important step, and while it may seem like it’s taking too long from the perspective of people on the ground, a lot will be happening in the helicopter to create a plan and communicate with dispatch. These activities will have an important impact on their ability to suppress the fire. It is very important that if any drones have been launched by curious onlookers, they must be grounded well before fire crews arrive on site.
Once they have landed, the crew will want to make contact with the responders on the ground. Have someone prepared to give them a quick briefing that should include:
- How many people are on site
- If anyone is hurt or in danger
- What people have done so far
- Any hazards that might affect the crew or any aviation
- Any structures or values of note
- If anything is known about how the fire started
At this point the crew may ask that all non-wildfire personnel leave the area, this is not a reflection on the work of anyone fighting the fire before Ontario Wildfire arrived, but it is the mandate of all first responders to ensure the safety of the public. Once a wildfire response has been activated, the workspace can quickly grow too complex to allow unknown resources to operate in the area.