Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Fundraiser honours firefighter who died in B.C.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Aug, 2023 11:50 AM
  • Fundraiser honours firefighter who died in B.C.

Photo courtesy of Facebook (Zack Muise)

The young Ontario firefighter who died last week in British Columbia has been identified as Zak Muise in an online obituary and a tribute by the firefighting contractor he worked for.

Big Cat Wildfire shared a photo of Muise in his uniform and called him a "vital member" of one of its crews.

The 25-year-old died Friday as he helped battle the massive Donnie Creek wildfire in northeastern B.C.

RCMP have said he was killed when his heavy-duty ATV rolled over a steep drop on a gravel road in a remote area about 150 kilometres north of Fort St. John.

A brief online obituary posted on the website of a Waterford, Ont., funeral home in the name of his family says Muise is survived by his parents and five older siblings.

It says Muise was "loved by many," and the family is grateful to all firefighters and other first responders "who are still fighting."

It says a funeral is scheduled for later this month in Simcoe, Ont., and that a public memorial in B.C. is also being planned.

A fundraiser for the Canadian Critical Incident Stress Foundation has been launched in Muise's honour.

The organization provides support, education and training for first responders, veterans and their families and runs a camp for families and children coping with loss.

Muise was a contracted firefighter working to fight the nearly 6,000-square-kilometre Donnie Creek blaze in the province's northeast — the biggest wildfire in B.C.'s history.

Muise's Instagram page shows him enjoying time outdoors with family and friends, camping, snowboarding and golfing.

Muise is the fourth Canadian firefighter to die this year fighting wildfires, and the second to die in B.C.

On July 13, 19-year-old Devyn Gale died while combating a wildfire near her hometown of Revelstoke, B.C., after she was struck by a falling tree.

"Our hearts go out to all the families of fallen firefighters," Muise's obituary says.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canadian government drops ads on Facebook, Instagram as Meta promises to block news

Canadian government drops ads on Facebook, Instagram as Meta promises to block news
The decision came after Meta promised to block Canadian news content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to Canada's recently passed Online News Act. The new law will require tech giants pay media outlets for content they share or otherwise repurpose on their platforms.

Canadian government drops ads on Facebook, Instagram as Meta promises to block news

More campfire bans coming to B.C. by Friday as dry conditions raise wildfire danger

More campfire bans coming to B.C. by Friday as dry conditions raise wildfire danger
The BC Wildfire Service says, as of noon on Friday, campfires will no longer be permitted in the Kamloops Fire Centre. The restriction will also extend to include all areas of the Coastal Fire Centre, except Haida Gwaii.

More campfire bans coming to B.C. by Friday as dry conditions raise wildfire danger

Two dead as motorcycle and SUV collide between Lytton and Spences Bridge, B.C.

Two dead as motorcycle and SUV collide between Lytton and Spences Bridge, B.C.
Two people have died in a collision between a motorcycle and an SUV northeast of Lytton, British Columbia. A statement from RCMP says the crash happened just after 6 p.m. Monday on Highway 1 between Lytton and Spences Bridge. Staff Sgt. Kris Clark says both victims were on the motorcycle.

Two dead as motorcycle and SUV collide between Lytton and Spences Bridge, B.C.

Crackdown on street racing in Surrey

Crackdown on street racing in Surrey
Surrey R-C-M-P say video shared widely online back in May showed a vintage Chevy stunt driving before crashing into a semi-truck during a large gathering. Police say they’ve now recommended charges against the driver, and returned to the street in mid-June to crack down on street racing along the stretch. 

Crackdown on street racing in Surrey

Mountain biker dies after crash during B.C. Cup race at Big White resort

Mountain biker dies after crash during B.C. Cup race at Big White resort
The senior vice-president of Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, B.C., says a mountain biker has died after a crash during the B.C. Cup downhill racing event the resort hosted on the weekend. He says resort staff and management are "devastated" by the incident.

Mountain biker dies after crash during B.C. Cup race at Big White resort

45 arrested, $5K worth of stolen goods recovered at Metrotown mall

45 arrested, $5K worth of stolen goods recovered at Metrotown mall
Some of the most commonly targeted items for shoplifters during the latest Boost and Bust included clothing and sunglasses. In one instance, officers taking part in the Boost and Bust were also able to assist in quickly reuniting a missing child with her mother.

45 arrested, $5K worth of stolen goods recovered at Metrotown mall