Barkerville Historic Town and Park will be getting two new-to-them firefighting trucks donated by the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA).
The two aircraft rescue and firefighting trucks were part of the PGAA's fleet. The fully operational trucks ended their service with the PGAA following a fleet upgrade with the airport authority and will be given new life helping to defend Barkerville's historic buildings.
“Community support is at the core of everything we do at the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA)” said Gordon Duke, president and CEO of the PGAA in a news release. "This is a unique opportunity for us to give these trucks a second life, and we are proud to support Barkerville Heritage Trust and its historic site.”
Barkerville has over 100 heritage buildings and wooden sidewalks run across the fronts of those historic buildings. The site faced a fire threat last summer when the Antler Creek fire came within a few kilometres of the site. Barkerville staff and B.C. Wildfire Service created a humidity dome around the site using sprinklers to help prevent flying embers from making their way to the park's dry, wooden buildings.
The fire caused people at Barkerville, Wells and Bowron Lake to evacuate and led to a temporary closure of the park in the middle of its main season. Some artifacts were moved out of Barkerville out of an abundance of caution before the evacuation order was given.
"Our team is incredibly grateful for this donation,” said Carrie Chard, general manager of Barkerville Historic Town & Park in the release. “With wildfires becoming a persistent threat, particularly to our aged wooden structures and surrounding forest, these trucks will significantly enhance our firefighting capabilities. This gift from the Prince George Airport Authority highlights how surplus resources can have a meaningful impact on communities like ours. The next order of business will be sorting out how to get them to our end of Highway 26.”
The release added the donation is part of the PGAA's commitment to support community ties and preserve the region's landmarks.
Barkerville's next major event will be the annual Olde-Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.