Canadians step up to help battle LA wildfires
Since Tuesday, more than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate.
Canada is stepping up to help its neighbours to the south, with crews from several provinces mobilizing to fight the devastating wildfires engulfing the Los Angeles area.
Quebec water bombers
Speaking with the Canadian Press, Stéphane Caron, SOPFEU, Quebec's forest fire protection agency, said the planes travel to the U.S. each fall due to contractual obligations and this year's stay was extended to assist with the emergency.
Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel posted a message of support on X, acknowledging the difficulties Californians are facing.
"[California] governor Gavin Newsom can count on the government of Quebec and the SOPFEU to support him," Minister Bonnardel added.
BC planes 'on the frontline
B.C.-based company Coulson Aviation has sent aircraft, crews, and equipment to assist with the fire emergency.
"Unfortunately, with this particular fire, the wind was so violent and the fire ... had about a three to four-hour head start before any aircraft could get on it, so the whole crew .... have been behind ... on this one from the very start," Coulson Aviation CEO Wayne Coulson told the CBC in an interview.
Alberta joins the fight
Alberta premier Danielle Smith has announced the province will send resources to help California crews, including water bombers and night-vision helicopters.
"Good neighbours are always there for each other in times of need, and we will assist our American friends in any way they need during this crisis," Smith wrote on social media.
"Alberta is also actively working with the federal government and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) to assess California’s needs."
Since the fires ignited on Tuesday, dry conditions paired with hurricane-force winds have created a nightmare situation in the Los Angeles area, forcing more than 100,000 people to evacuate and causing, at the time of this writing, at least five deaths.
WATCH: How Canadians living abroad are grappling with LA wildfires
(Header image courtesy of @LACOFD/X)