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De Beers Victor Mine has played a key role in a successful effort to control a large wildfire in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario.

On July 29, members of the mine rescue team were participating in routine field rescue training aboard the site-based helicopter when they spotted a 150 hectare fire about 15 km southwest of the mine site.

“I alerted the (Ontario) Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as soon as I got the call from our Victor Mine Rescue Team who spotted the fire,” said Anne Boucher, an environmental coordinator at the mine. She then coordinated efforts to host a 10-member team of Ontario ministry firefighters and a support helicopter at the mine. The firefighting crew were able to use the remote Victor Mine as a staging point for their firefighting and stayed at the mine at night until the fire was contained.

“It’s quite amazing to see how all of these people work together to load/unload the gear and supplies that they need every day in the most efficient, fastest and safest way possible,” said Anne.  The firefighters would leave in the morning to go to the fire site and would come back at night.

During a break in between fighting the fire, members of the crew were taken on a tour of the mine, including the open pit and the process plant control room.

“All of them were really appreciative of the different experiences that they had here on site and they all let me know that they really enjoyed it here,” Anne added.

The fire was quickly brought under control and the firefighters left the mine site by August 3 so they could respond to other wildfires.