Canada Answers the Call: Firefighters Deployed to combat California Wildfires
In a display of international solidarity,Canada is mobilizing resources to assist California in battling its devastating wildfires. Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan announced that a contingent of 60 highly trained firefighters from Alberta and British Columbia will be deployed to California starting Monday. This initial deployment is just the first wave, as Canadian officials are actively working to identify and prepare additional resources for dispatch in the coming days.
Minister Sajjan emphasized Canada’s commitment to supporting its neighbor in this time of need, stating, “Our American friends have requested our assistance in fighting the forest fires in California, and Team canada is answering the call. Neighbors help neighbors.”
This collaborative effort is a testament to the strong relationship between Canada and the United states. A formal request for assistance was received and approved by the Canadian government, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the urgency of the need.
Alberta is contributing up to 40 experienced wildland firefighters, along with a contingent of support personnel, water bombers, and specialized night vision helicopters, ready for immediate deployment. British Columbia’s forestry minister confirmed that a team from the province’s wildfire service departed for California on Saturday afternoon to join the firefighting efforts.Quebec is also lending a hand, sending two additional firefighting planes to California. This deployment comes after one of Quebec’s water bombers, a Canadian-built CL-415, collided with a drone while battling the blazes. This incident underscores the challenging and risky conditions faced by firefighters on the front lines.
The annual contract between Quebec and California, in place for over three decades, sees Quebec’s firefighting planes deployed to California each fall to assist with wildfire suppression efforts.
The California wildfires have tragically claimed the lives of 16 individuals, and over 150,000 residents in Los Angeles County are currently under evacuation orders.The scale of the disaster is immense, requiring a coordinated and multinational response.
Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen emphasized the expertise of the deployed firefighters, describing them as ”trained and experienced” Type 1 forest firefighters. He assured California officials of alberta’s unwavering support, stating, “I spoke directly to [California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection] and to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to assure them that Alberta stands ready to support them in their ongoing efforts.”
In addition to the initial deployment, Alberta has additional Type 1 firefighters, incident command personnel, and support staff on standby, ready to be mobilized if needed. The province is also preparing its contracted water bombers, pilots, and night vision helicopters for potential deployment.
