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BC Hydro crews help put out forest fire north of Lions Bay

On Sunday, Aug. 12, crews working on BC Hydro's Transmission Line Rehabilitation project helped to extinguish a fire in the woods around M Creek, two kilometres north of Lions Bay. At 4 p.m.

On Sunday, Aug. 12, crews working on BC Hydro's Transmission Line Rehabilitation project helped to extinguish a fire in the woods around M Creek, two kilometres north of Lions Bay.

At 4 p.m., Lions Bay Volunteer Fire Department acting chief Rick Wilson contacted BC Hydro construction supervisor Gary Nelson with a request to assist them in fighting the blaze.

"We could have been in some real trouble," said Wilson. "The fire was inaccessible to our crew by ground and the nearest Ministry of Forests helicopter was at least an hour away. Without immediate action, the fire would have definitely spread and been far worse."

Nelson immediately directed Tundra Helicopters pilot Dale Carter to the scene. Using a "bambi bucket" that was stored on-site for emergencies of this nature, Carter collected water from M Creek – the closest available water source. Observing safety regulations, BC Hydro crews stopped Sea-to-Sky highway traffic while the helicopter flew overhead with its load. It took nearly two hours to fully douse the flames.

"We're glad we were able to help avert a potential disaster," said Nelson. "We're aware of how disruptive our helicopter activity can be to residents so it's nice that we were able to do something to help the community in return for its patience."