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Alberta remains under a state of emergency as more than 250 firefighters continue to battle a raging wildfire in Fort McMurray. Here's how Ontario is helping.

Fire chief weighs in on Fort McMurray fight


Leeanna McLean
Digital Reporter

Friday, May 6, 2016, 3:37 AM - Alberta remains under a state of emergency as more than 1,000 firefighters continue to battle a raging wildfire in Fort McMurray. Canadians across the country are rallying together to help over 80,000 evacuees.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has confirmed the province will send 100 firefighters and 19 support staff to Alberta Friday.

"We are committed to helping out other provinces in times of need and this is obviously one of those times," Wynne said in the Ontario legislature Wednesday.


FORT MCMURRAY FIRE COVERAGE: 


"We thank them for their service, we want them to come home safely, but our hearts are with the people of Alberta right now."

The firefighters will be deployed out of northern Ontario and sent to Edmonton Friday. They will be assigned to support suppression efforts on an ongoing fire or placed on initial attack, ready to respond to any new fires, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

In Toronto, Mayor John Tory says the city's fire and other emergency responders are ready to help as well. Meanwhile, Oakville deputy fire chief Andy Glynn is urging Ontarians to put together a 72 hour family emergency plan and kit.

"Fortunately, here in Oakville we haven't seen that type of fire, but not to say other types of emergencies couldn't happen. We just strongly emphasize people know what to do when the evacuation order comes," Glynn told The Weather Network.

Given the fact it is emergency preparedness week, chief Glynn says it is important for all residents across Canada to have a plan.

"Take the time to put together a 72 hour plan and kit and know how to act when the evacuation order comes. Don't take the time to learn when these types of events occur, know what to do beforehand."

Glynn believes air support is one of the best ways to approach a fire of this magnitude.

"This is a very difficult fire to fight with the weather conditions they are facing. Air support is really the best way to approach this. Even ground troops are going to have a difficult time, especially with the type of timber and dry forest that they are dealing with."

How would Halton Region handle a fire of Fort McMurray's scale?

Residents living in the area would be sent up-to-date information through a community emergency notification system, which is essentially a reverse 911 that the region has in place, according to Glynn.

"The information would be passed through phone lines and cellphones to residents with the information and actions they should take."

For those living in the Oakville area, there is also the Oakville Mobile App which sends alerts to users about significant service disruptions and weather events.

"It's a devastating event," Glynn said about Fort McMurray's situation. "I certainly hope they [firefighters] get this under control in a timely matter."

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