The Parkcrest Elementary School site in Kamloops is a hub of activity as firefighters battling wildfires in the Kamloops area have set up camp there.

Fire Information Officer Hannah Swift tells NL News the camp in Brocklehurst will be home to about 150 firefighters who are currently tasked with battling the Sparks Lake Fire as well as the Embleton Mountain Fire.

“We do set up camp when are where they are needed just to house and feed our firefighting personnel and support staff throughout the duration of an incident,” she said.

“The nature of a camp can really last anywhere from two weeks to several months, but given the amount of fires in the area around here, I would think that this camp would be around for the long term.”

Swift is asking people in the area to respect the privacy of the firefighters while they are at the camp and not on the front lines.

“That is where they eat and sleep and wash up. Really its their home for the duration of their time on an incident,” she added. “Our firefighters are working long and hard days and they are out on the line for as long as its required. So that can be anywhere from 12 to 16 hours days or longer to keep our communities safe.”

SD73 spokesperson Diana Skoglund tells NL News the school district has a good working relationship with the BC Wildfire Service, noting they’ve offered up space to firefighters in the past as well.

She adds the BC Wildfire Service reached out asking if they could set up camp at the Parkcrest site, noting the School District will be paid a nominal $1 for the use of the space.

“That just part of the legal framework,” Skoglund said. “If there are any costs incurred like Hydro, they take care of that.”

Drove out to Brock this weekend to take a look at the camp set up for @BCGovFireInfo firefighters at the site of Parkcrest Elementary School.

It’s not just tents, as some people first imagined, though there are some. Lots of trailers too.#Kamloops #BCWildfire @RadioNLNews pic.twitter.com/b78YQTnvDQ

— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) July 20, 2021