Firefighters from across Canada have been helping fight the wildfires in Southern California, saving American lives and land in danger. Provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Saskatchewan have sent firefighters with equipment, waterbombers, and helicopters to help save people from the wrath of out-of-control wildfires.
Canada has sent over 250 personnel and essential equipment to help fight the wildfires, including over 60 firefighters from Alberta and British Columbia. Alberta recently sent up to 40 trained and experienced Type 1 wildland firefighters to assist with efforts in California. Additional firefighters, incident command staff, water bombers, and contracted night-vision helicopters are on standby and ready for deployment as needed.
The U.S. officially requested assistance from Canada, a call that has been promptly answered. A crew from BC’s wildfire service left for California last week to help battle the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area. Quebec is sending two more firefighting aircraft to California, a day after one of the province’s CL-415 water bombers collided with a drone while battling the wildfires. For the last 30 years, Canadian crews have been sent to California every fall as part of an annual contract.
The massive fires killed at least 24 people, and 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders. Wind-driven wildfires have devastated 40,000 acres and destroyed over 12,300 structures. Over 7,500 personnel are working on the ground with local and federal partners to fight the historic wildfires in Southern California.
Source: Government of Canada