Four Agassiz firefighters are in Lillooet this week, helping contain the forest fire there.

The crew left on Tuesday morning with one of Agassiz' engines, and were expected to be gone for five days, says fire chief Wayne Dyer.

"We got the call yesterday (Monday) from the fire commissioner's office," Dyer says.

"Chilliwack has sent up a couple of trucks, too."

The firefighters could be back sooner, if the weather cooperates in putting out the blaze at Mt. McLean. On Sunday, the blaze was 22 square kilometres. It was ignited by lightning strike on July 22. The town of Lillooet was "a ghost town" at press time on Tuesday, after a complete evacuation order was put in place on Sunday night.

Dyer says the loss of four firefighters shouldn't hamper the local fire department. There are 30 firefighters who work out of the Agassiz fire hall.

While it may seem like a small hall to be helping out other communities, the entire province is helping out with the fire suppression in Lillooet. And on Tuesday, 30 firefighters were called in from Australia and New Zealand.

In the event that a major fire were to break out in the District of Kent's fire region, Agassiz enjoys "good mutual aid assistance" from the other fire halls in the area, including Popkum, Harrison, Chilliwack and Seabird Island.

The firefighters who went to Lillooet are volunteer personnel. Like all other firefighters called in to battle the blaze, they will be paid by the Provincial Emergency Program.

The fire hazard in the province is still extremely, and everyone is being asked to avoid all unnecessary travel in backcountry areas.

Please continue to report smoke and flames by calling 911 locally, or toll-free 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.