Canadian Armed Forces have about 360 personnel in B.C., helping crews fight wildfires.

Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Commander Tony Wright, says that includes 100 ground personnel working at the Flat Lake fire near 100 Mile House, and 100 more at the Thomas Creek fire, near Okanagan Falls.

“For the land portion, they’re doing what’s called type three firefighting which is essentially a mop-up operation. Under the supervision of BC Wildfire Service, they’re coming in after the fire has been contained… They’re coming in and making sure there’s no flare-ups and monitoring the fire line. It’s hard work; they’re digging a lot, and they’re keeping that fire at bay.”

Wright says another 100 ground personnel are based in Vernon, including administrators, cooks and first aid staff, among others.

And he says 60 air personnel are based out of the Kamloops Airport, helping move people and supplies.

“And that includes two Chinook helicopters, two Griffon helicopters, which is a smaller utility helicopter. And a C-130J Hercules Transport fixed-wing aircraft.”

Those 360 military members are expected to be in the southern Interior for at least a couple more weeks, and longer if the wildfire situation persists.