Three hand crews – 20 packs as they’re known in their home country – out of Quebec, Canada have been assigned to the North Complex – a lightning-caused fire on the Plumas National Forest in northern California.

The professional firefighters hail from all over the eastern Canadian province that runs from its border with New York and Maine north to Hudson Bay. While they all fight wildfires at home, the steep, rugged terrain of the northern Sierras is a change and a challenge they welcome.

“The amount of effort it takes to fight a hot spot, the topography, it’s different here,” said Jean Sebastian Jirard, a young firefighter from far northern Quebec. “That’s what hit me the most. Longer distances in harsher territory.”

After a lengthy travel, the crews spent a few days getting acclimated to not only the altitude and terrain but tactics and terminology that differ from what they use in Canada. They were assigned to mop up and grid – thoroughly checking the ground for any lingering heat by hand – a pair of smaller fires that are part of the complex that are contained but not totally out. Now that they have their feet under them, they’re being moved to the thick of the action and will be positioned in the south central portion of the fire area – between what used to the Bear and Claremont fires – along the Middle Fork of the Feather River.

“We’re glad to help and we’re happy to be here,” said Alex Delisle, a fifth-year firefighter assigned to the crew. “Hopefully we’ll do a good job and be invited back.”

Photo depicts a crew member getting temperature checked with a no touch thermometer by the crew medic for COVID protocol

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