Canada is sending 60 firefighters from Alberta and British Columbia to Southern California to assist in battling the ongoing wildfires. The office of Canada’s emergency preparedness minister confirmed the aid plans that were announced last week.
Alberta is contributing up to 40 experienced wildland firefighters, while British Columbia has already dispatched a team of wildfire specialists, as stated by the office of Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan.
Canada had previously announced its commitment to sending firefighters from Alberta and expressed readiness to send additional personnel if needed. In addition to the manpower, Quebec is also stepping in to provide support by contributing two CL-415 firefighting planes. These planes are in addition to the two CL-145 “Super Scoopers” that Quebec had previously sent to Southern California. Unfortunately, one of the CL-145 planes was grounded after a civilian drone collided with it, causing damage to one of the wings. However, the grounded plane is expected to resume operations on Tuesday, as confirmed by Los Angeles County’s fire chief. The CL-415 planes are specifically designed to scoop up large quantities of ocean water to be dropped on active fires.
In a statement released on Friday, Minister Sajjan expressed Canada's solidarity with the people of California in the face of the devastating wildfires. He emphasized the importance of mutual support, referencing the assistance Canada received during its own challenging wildfire season. The minister highlighted that Team Canada is prepared to reciprocate the support received from friends and neighbors.
It is worth noting that in 2024, Canada experienced significant destruction due to massive wildfires, underscoring the importance of international cooperation and assistance during such crises.
