Initial attack crews
Last updated on September 14, 2026
Initial attack crews are often the first to respond to a wildfire. Due to the quick and effective response of this three to four person crew, approximately 94% of all new wildfires in B.C. are suppressed.
Initial attack crews respond to new fires quickly using vehicles and aircraft. Crews are:
- Strategically placed based on fire danger
- Independent and mobile (crews are deployed with one-three days of supplies and gear)
- Flexible and adaptive (can also be deployed to larger, complex incidents)
Initial attack personnel
There are approximately 400 initial attack firefighters stationed throughout the province who may be relocated based on provincial needs.
These crews are regularly placed on standby, which means that they are ready to be deployed quickly after a new wildfire starts.
Once deployed, initial attack crews may work and camp near the fire until it is fully controlled.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) also has two additional specialized initial attack crews: Rapattack and Parattack.
Rapattack crews
Rapattack crews are trained to rappel from a helicopter into areas that are hard-to-access by foot or by vehicle and where there are no suitable landing areas for helicopters nearby. BCWS employs approximately 40 firefighters in the Rapattack program. These firefighters are highly trained and versatile, able to aid unit crews in response efforts across the province.
The BCWS Rapattack program started in 1977 in Lower Post, B.C. In 1979, the program relocated to its present location in Salmon Arm, B.C., in order to be centrally located to the majority of fires that require rapattack response.
Parattack crews
Parattack crews, consisting of smokejumpers, are trained to parachute from fixed-wing aircraft to access wildfires in remote locations or to provide support to crews established on an emerging incident. Parattack crews prioritize safety and are very versatile. Beyond initial attack, they may also respond to medical emergencies in remote areas, perform reconnaissance flights to provide response recommendations and fight fires alongside other BCWS crews. BCWS employs approximately 80 smokejumpers. Parattack work units are in Fort St John and Mackenzie. However, they respond to incidents across the province.
One of the most important pieces of the Parattack program is their fixed-wing aircraft, known as jumpships. They can cover more distance in a shorter amount of time than helicopters, while also carrying more staff and equipment.
The BCWS Parattack program started in 1998 in Smithers, B.C. with 20 smokejumpers. In 2000, the program relocated to Fort St. John to increase fire response capabilities to long-distance dispatches in the northeastern portion of the province. In 2010, a second operation was established in Mackenzie.
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