Helicopter with B.C. wildfire crew makes forced landing near Pemberton

Helicopter Makes Forced Landing During Wildfire Response in B.C.

A helicopter carrying a wildfire attack crew was forced to make a landing in a forested area near Pemberton, B.C., on Wednesday. Despite the scare, Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar confirmed that all crew members were safe with no critical injuries.

Response to Blaze

The incident occurred as the crew was responding to a wildfire south of Pemberton, approximately 150 kilometres northeast of Vancouver. Smoke from the blaze has spread across the region, intensifying firefighting efforts.

Crew Members Accounted For

Cliff Chapman, the director of provincial operations for the BC Wildfire Service, disclosed that a pilot and three wildfire staff members were onboard during the forced landing. Fortunately, all individuals were able to walk away from the incident and are currently receiving support from extraction crews, paramedics, and health personnel at the Pemberton base.

Investigation Underway

Minister Parmar refrained from speculating on the factors that led to the forced landing, citing that more information is needed before drawing conclusions. The Transportation Safety Board has been notified of the incident and will conduct an assessment to determine the necessary steps moving forward.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on September 3, 2025.

Written by Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press