iN PHOTOS: RCMP deploys dozens of reinforcements in McDougall Creek wildfire

More backup has arrived in the fight against Central Okanagan wildfires.

The RCMP deployed 76 officers from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island to the Kelowna area on Aug. 23 to provide relief to members already on the ground, according to a release from the BC RCMP.

“This is in addition to the over 100 officers deployed during the immediate response to the fires,” the release says. The arriving officers stepped in as 60 other personnel return home.

The officers were deployed from the Pacific Regional Training Centre in Chilliwack.

As officers from various detachments arrived they were each given a radio call sign.

“This call sign, unique to the officer, will follow them once they are in the fire zone. Each member is given a radio, then it’s off to the supply table where they pick up safety masks, a go-kit full of snacks, water and toiletries, which allows the officer to be self-sufficient while deployed,” the release says.

Many of the supplies in the kits were donated by local box stores.

“The goal here is your safety,” assistant commissioner John Brewer said in the release. “You’re doing a hard job and if you see anything out there that we could do better, bring it forward.”

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