Zak Muise

Firefighters on British Columbia's northern wildfire frontline wore black bandanas on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, while others carrying helmets and axes marched in Penticton during a memorial procession to honour colleague Zak Muise.

It was a scene of confusion, sadness and fear in what is usually an idyllic lakeside community as a "drastic wind shift" caught fire forecasters off guard in British Columbia's Shuswap region. 

The young Ontario firefighter who died last week in British Columbia has been identified as Zak Muise in an online obituary and a tribute by the firefighting contractor he worked for.