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Crew History

The Thunderstrike Unit Crew acknowledges they operate on the traditional territory and home of the St’at’imc people.

Established in 1989 as a small, tight-knit team of 20 individuals, the crew has since flourished into something truly remarkable. From 1989 to 1991, the Thunderstrike Crew worked side by side in Seton Portage/Shalath before expanding into two offices — one in Shalath and one in Lillooet. In 2002, the crew came together under one roof at the Lillooet Zone Base, with a several dedicated members continuing to commute from Shalath. Their evolution from those early days to where they are now is a testament to their growth, teamwork and resilience.

Summers in Lillooet turn the terrain into one of the hottest and driest places in British Columbia. The landscape is a mix of steep, rocky hillsides, thick forests with brittle trees and open patches covered in sagebrush—fueling the fire like gasoline. Even the river valleys that provide water to combat wildfires are deep and difficult to navigate. The only thing they can count on is the intensity of the fire, racing up mountains and crashing into valleys without any clear rhyme or reason. Fighting a wildfire there is nothing short of brutal.

However, the Thunderstrike Unit Crew has become a master and steward of this place. They haul heavy gear up near vertical mountains, while the wind pushes flames in unpredictable directions. The fire may be relentless and the terrain plays its own games, yet the Thunderstrike crew shows resilience—constantly testing their skill, endurance, and grit.

“One the few, one the proud, one of the best. Thunderstrike.”

2010

Patch

The Thunderstrike logo, developed in 1995 by Alan Adolph from Xaxlip, is a symbol of the crew’s spirit and hold deep meaning for them. Norman Callious, the Crew Supervisor at the time, envisioned a meaningful ceremony to mark the occasion. During the event, the crew’s first supervisor, Albert Joseph, and his mentor, Reid Frederick, drew inspiration from the St’át’imc language, choosing KenKnáp’, meaning thunder. The crew wanted a name that captured strength, unity, and power — a symbol of warriors protecting Mother Earth and standing strong against the forces of fire, earth, water and air.

The logo shows a half-and-half warrior face and serves a reminder that every fire they face is unique and requires thoughtful consideration. The medicine wheel, a symbol of balance and unity, holds a special meaning for the crew. It reminds them that it takes all kinds of people to come together and fight the challenges wildfires bring.

Crew Supervisors

D. Alec & E. Chiasson-Comelli – 2023 – Current

A. Rhodenizer – 2020 – 2022

B. Jack – 2018 – 2020

J. Wolfe – 2013 – 2017

T. Peters – 2012

D. Adrian – 2011

W. Oleman – 2007 – 2010

B. Oleman – 1996 – 2007

N. Calliou – 1995 – 1996

A. Joesph – 1989 – 1994

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For updates to this page please contact fireinfo@gov.bc.ca.