Canadians are helping to battle the wildfires in California. Two water-bombing planes and their crews from Quebec are in Califrnia and a B.C. based company, Coulson Aviation has multiple helicopters responding as well.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says in a social media post he has offered his province’s support and has directed officials to send every available water bomber if requested. He says, “We’ll provide whatever personnel and equipment is needed and spare no expense to help our closest friends and allies.” Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith has also posted on social media that her province will assist Canada’s southern neighbour in any way they need. She says, “Our hearts go out to everyone in California who has been evacuated due to the devastating forest fires.”
Since 1982, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre in Canada and the National Interagency Coordination Center in the U.S. have maintained an arrangement to help each other out during peak fire activity.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has posted on social media that Canadians are thinking of everyone in California affected by the wildfires. He says, “We’re no stranger to the challenge of wildfires, and California has been there to help our Canadian firefighters out time and time again. Canadian water bombers are already in action on the front lines. We stand ready to provide more resources to our American neighbours.”
fire update: Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley says in day three of the firestorm, the Palisades Fire is by far the worst. As of Thursday morning the blaze had grown to 17, 234 acres. “Preliminary report estimates the damage of destroyed structures to be in the thousands. It is safe to say that the Palisades Fires is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles.”
There is also the Eaton Fire which was at 10,000 acres on Wednesday, the Hurst Fire is 10 per cent contained at 855 acres, the Sunset Fire grew to 60 acres and the Lidia Fire was impacting almost 350 acres but was considered 40 per cent contained. Five people have died. The Palisades Fire is expected to generate wind gusts up to 100 km/h.
Crowley adds that air support hasn’t always been available because of the strong winds. “The winds are so dynamic and at that tipping point when our air resources were grounded, that changes our strategies and tactics. We called for the world in regard to the number of resources and what we needed, who we needed, immediate need. Every single resource that was available at that moment, responded.
Kathryn Barger, Chair of LA County Board of Supervisors says shame on those preying on residents in this time of crises. As of Thursday morning 20 arrests have been made in connection to looting. “In the midst of the emergency, we have all seen individuals who are targeting vulnerable communities by burglarizing and looting homes. This is simply unacceptable.”
