FILE PHOTO

(ASHLEY LEGASSIC - REPORTER / iNFOnews.ca)

Four firefighters died in a head-on collision west of Kamloops yesterday as they were heading home from a wildfire.

They were in a pickup truck on Highway 1 when they collided with a tractor-trailer near Walhachin, according to a BC RCMP news release.

Emergency crews got to the scene around 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19. The commercial driver escaped before the truck was engulfed in flames but the four BC Wildfire Service contractors succumbed to their injuries at the scene. 

“Our hearts are broken by news of the death of four wildfire fighters who were travelling home after a tour of duty and were in a motor vehicle accident... Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues grieving the loss of these brave individuals," Forest Minister Bruce Ralston and Premier David Eby said in a joint statement.

It's not clear where they were from but the firefighters were working in the Vanderhoof area before heading south.

Police said the pickup truck veered across the centre line during a right curve on the highway striking the commercial truck head-on.

“This year has been particularly challenging for the BC Wildfire Service, with several of its members facing injuries or losing their lives. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of those who help keep our province safe," BC RCMP spokesperson Cpl. James Grandy said in a media release.

The Trans-Canada was closed in both directions and it has since reopened, RCMP said. The investigation is ongoing as RCMP are assisted by the BC Coroner Service.

“This is devastating news in what has been an immensely difficult wildfire season. We stand with wildfire fighters and all BC Wildfire Service personnel as they mourn the death of colleagues and co-workers yet again," Ralston and Eby said in a statement. “Firefighters are on the front lines in so many parts of BC, creating hope from despair and working tirelessly to save lives and livelihoods. Words cannot express the depth of our gratitude.”

The deaths bring to six the number of firefighters who have died this wildfire season in the province.

Twenty-five-year-old Zak Muise died in a vehicle accident while fighting a massive fire in northern B.C., and 19-year-old Devyn Gale was killed by a falling tree near Revelstoke.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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