B.C. firefighters honour Ont. wildfire fighter Zak Muise at memorial and on frontline

Firefighters on British Columbia's northern wildfire frontline wore black bandanas Wednesday while others carrying helmets and axes marched in Penticton, B.C., during a memorial procession to honour colleague Zak Muise.

The 25-year-old from Ontario died on July 28 as he helped battle the Donnie Creek wildfire, the largest in the province's recorded history.

RCMP 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.

Muise was originally from Waterford, a town in southern Ontario's Norfolk County, and was the youngest of six siblings.

First responders, including municipal and forest firefighters, police, paramedics and others formed a procession at the Okanagan city's Skaha Lake Park, followed by an outdoor public memorial for Muise.

Andrew Bird, training officer at the Penticton Fire Department, took part in the honour guard.

Bird said Muise's parents marched in the procession and were presented with a folded Canadian flag.

"We're all here looking out for each other. It was an honour to be there for him and Zak's family," Bird said.

Bird said firefighters from California, Washington state and across the Okanagan took part in the march. He said Muise's firefighting gear was carried during the procession.

Boss remembers 'all-around great person'

Muise was a contracted firefighter working for Bigcat Wildfire, an organization based out of Summerland, B.C.

"He was a pleasure to be around," Mike Smesman, the owner of Bigcat Wildfire, told CBC News. "Just an all-around great person that really cared about his community and wanted to make a difference, and make an impact."

Smesman said Tuesday that B.C.'s firefighting community is very tight-knit, and he hoped the Wednesday ceremony would bring them even closer as they remember Muise's life.

"It's just a lot for anybody to have to deal with," he said. "Hopefully, we can all grow and learn and move on, move forward with our lives after this."

Muise was the fourth Canadian wildfire fighter to die while on duty amid a record-breaking season, and the second to die in B.C.

On July 13, 19-year-old Devyn Gale died when she was struck by a falling tree while helping fight a fire near Revelstoke. 

The Muise family said the outpouring of support and the memorial have meant a lot as they grieve their loss.

"We are devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of our son, brother and friend," Muise's sister Allison Tackaberry said.

"Zak loved life and loved what he was doing. He will be missed by all who knew him."

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

A fundraiser for the Canadian Critical Incident Stress Foundation, which facilitates post-traumatic stress disorder mitigation efforts for first responders and veterans, was created to honour Muise.