Safety failures prior to wildfire fighter’s death: WorkSafeBC [Video]

A WorkSafeBC report has found several safety failures leading up to the death of a 19-year-old wildfire fighter last summer. 

On July 13, 2023, a burning cedar fell on Devyn Gale, fatally injuring her, while she was fighting a wildfire near Revelstoke, B.C., about 150 kilometres east of Kamloops.

Two firefighters were also injured while trying to free Gale, according to the provincial workplace safety agency’s report, which was finalized close to a year after her death.

Based on its investigation, WorkSafeBC called the hazard management and supervision prior to the incident “ineffective” and “inadequate.” It said young, inexperienced firefighters were deployed to the area without sufficient training.

In addition, the agency found the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) has a culture that normalizes risks around dangerous trees even though it is aware of safety concerns related to them. 

“This approach to the policies and procedures related to dangerous trees likely …