Helicopter pilot who conducted rescue amid B.C. wildfire didn’t know man was wanted by police

A helicopter pilot based in Hope who had an accidental part in nabbing a wanted man Thursday is sharing his experience.

When Brad Fandrich, who owns Valley Helicopters, was initially dispatched, it was to help douse flames that had been sparked on a slope just outside of town, he told 1130 NewsRadio.

But after fire crews heard a man yelling for help, Fandrich’s task pivoted to a rescue mission.

“He hiked himself into a spot where he couldn’t get himself out,” Fandrich said.

“We long-lined him off the cliff and brought him back down to our base.”

To Fandrich’s surprise, the police were waiting for them.

“As I was landing the helicopter, he and the search and rescue guys were walking away towards the police,” he said.

“The policeman apparently just said, hey, how are you feeling, had a couple of questions for him about his condition, and then said, hey, you’re going to have to come with me.”

It turns out the 27-year-old man was wanted for some outstanding crimes.

The BC Wildfire Service said in an update Friday that the blaze was discovered Wednesday near the popular Serpent’s Back hiking trail and is now classified as being held.

Fandrich tells 1130 NewsRadio he believes the man was likely responsible for the fire, although this hasn’t been confirmed by official sources.

“Everything would lead a person to believe [that the man was responsible for the blaze],” he said.

“The fire was in a place where there were no other campers around or anyone else around, and there hadn’t been any lightning. He was the only person in the area.”

Fandrich says the steep cliffs in the area made it difficult for crews to get close to the blaze, which is why the fire was being attacked by helicopter. He says he dumped about 100 buckets of water on the fire on Thursday alone.

— With files from The Canadian Press.