An airplane fighting wildfires in interior B.C. has crashed while scooping water from a lake Friday afternoon.
Officials say the pilot was able to escape the plane and was brought to shore. He appeared to avoid any serious injuries, but was taken to a hospital in Williams Lake as a precaution.
Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson said the plane was fighting the Puntzi Lake wildfire in the Cariboo Fire Centre when it crashed. Puntzi Lake is about 180 kilometres west of Williams Lake in the Cariboo region.
"Our thoughts are with the pilot and his family, and all of the other firefighting crews and aircraft personnel who are working on the Puntzi Lake wildfire and elsewhere in B.C.,” said Thomson in a media release.
Officials say the pilot was wearing both a lifejacket and helmet at the time of the accident.
The plane, an Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss, has since sunk into the lake. The Transportation Safety Board has been notified.
B.C.'s Wildfire Centre said the 12-square-kilometres Puntzi Lake fire has forced the evacuation of 30 residents but is just one of about 200 burning province wide.
The crash came at the start of a weekend, when showers and cooler weather are expected, although winds and lightning may still keep crews busy.
With files from The Canadian Press
