Alberta preparing to send water bombers, helicopters to help fight Los Angeles wildfire

Alberta is preparing to send water bombers, night-vision helicopters and incident command team support to help battle wildfires ravaging parts of Los Angeles.

Premier Danielle Smith said on social media that Alberta is also working with the federal government and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre to assess California's needs.

"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 said Thursday.

Smith has been on a recent charm offensive with American media outlets and elected officials, emphasizing the strong ties between Canada and the United States.

She has been careful not to denounce president-elect Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on Canadian imports or a declaration that he intends to annex Canada through "economic force."

Alberta is not the first province to offer help to California.

Water-bombing pilots and crews from Quebec and a British Columbia company are already fighting the wind-whipped flames.

Officials have said hurricane-force winds began igniting one neighbourhood after another on Wednesday in the coastal area of Pacific Palisades and in Altadena, near Pasadena.

Five people have died, more than 100,000 people have been forced from their homes and famous landmarks have come under threat.

Nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed and the number is expected to increase.