The Wood Lake fire to the north of Harrison Hot Springs has grown to 650 hectares and is proving difficult for crew to fight.
But for organizers of the Abbotsford Airshow, which is scheduled to take place this weekend, the blaze may provide a unique opportunity.
“It gives us the opportunity to help tell the story of airplanes at work. We integrate these very, very important airplanes right into the airshow,” says Jadene Mah, Abbotsford Airshow Spokesperson.
With the fire just a ten minute flight from the centre of the fire, some twenty kilometres north of Harrison Hot Springs, planes have been regularly using the base to refuel and load up on retardant.
That could bring delays to some of the scheduled acts, as the firefighting planes will get first priority.
Should that come to pass, at least one of the performers won’t be complaining.
“If they come back in and reload, I would think that, with a good announcer, you can make that part of the air show,” said Gene Soucy, a Wing Walker Pilot.
“It’s exciting, you can show the public what their tax dollars provide, that this air force goes out and fights fires for them.”
Comments