Yukon First Nations Firefighters Say They Haven’t Been Called to Help in B.C.
First Nations crews say international and contract firefighters are being used instead, even as some teams report they have not been called out once.
- On Friday, August 21, 2026, Indigenous fire crews including Yukon First Nations Wildfire reported they are ready to help fight British Columbia wildfires, yet remain sidelined as the province brings in international teams from Mexico and Costa Rica.
- CEO Nick Mauro explained the Canadian wildfire system is designed to transfer government resources rather than independent Indigenous crews, effectively ignoring essential local resources while prioritizing international assistance.
- Yukon First Nations Wildfire argues deploying domestic crews costs less than international alternatives, stating, "Every dollar spent flying in international crews is a dollar that could go straight to the First Nation crews we have standing by."
- Metepenagiag First Nation fire crew lead Madison Levi stated her team has not been called this year, adding, "I know at CIFFC there's no Indigenous representation." She urged creation of an Indigenous liaison officer.
- The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre maintains that hiring decisions rest with individual provincial agencies, though it says it is working with Indigenous partners to address barriers to deployment of Indigenous wildfire resources.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Yukon First Nations firefighters wonder why they haven't been called to help in B.C.
Fire crews with Yukon First Nations Wildfire say they are ready, willing and able to help with out-of-control fires burning in British Columbia and are wondering why they haven't received the call. The organization's CEO Nick Mauro said he had 40 or so firefighters with the skills and training ready...
Energetic City
CTV NewsYukon First Nations firefighters wonder why they haven’t been called to help in B.C.
The west flank of the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, B.C., is shown in this Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, handout image provided by the BC Wildfire Service. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — B.C. Wildfire Service (Mandatory Credit) Fire crews with Yukon First Nations Wildfire say they are ready, willing and able to help with out-of-control fires burning in British Columbia and are wondering why they haven’t received the call. The organization’s CEO…
Yukon First Nations Wildfire say they haven’t been called to help in B.C.
Fire crews with Yukon First Nations Wildfire say they are ready, willing and able to help with out-of-control fires burning in B.C. and are wondering why they haven’t received the call. Statements from the organization posted online say its crews are trained and certified and could be on the B.C. fire line faster than any crew flying in from overseas, but that instead firefighters are being brought to B.C. from countries like Mexico and Costa Ri…
The Toronto Star
Yukon First Nations firefighters say they haven’t been called to help in B.C.
Fire crews with Yukon First Nations Wildfire say they are ready, willing and able to help with out-of-control fires burning in B.C. and are wondering why they haven't received the
Winnipeg Free Press
Yukon First Nations firefighters say they haven't been called to help in B.C.
Fire crews with Yukon First Nations Wildfire say they are ready, willing and able to help with out-of-control fires burning in B.C. and are wondering why they haven't received the call.
First Nations wildland fire fighters feeling sidelined while international help fights fires across country
First Nation fire fighters say its frustrating to watch other jurisdictions bringing in international help to fight wildfires while he and his crews are available and want to help.
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