Ontario set to deploy waterbomber planes from Dryden to California to help battle wildfires
2 waterbombers from northwestern Ontario ready to provide aid
Ontario is expected to deploy two waterbomber planes from Dryden on Thursday to help battle the devastating wildfires in California.
The provincial government announced last week it would be sending a number of resources to the U.S. state, including supplies and personnel.
"Within the firefighting community, friends help friends, and this is one of those situations where we want to make sure that if they need our assets, we can get our assets there and try and help out in what is a mighty struggle for them," said Ontario Minister of Natural Resources Graydon Smith.
"We live it here, not only in Ontario, but in Canada, of just how devastating fires can be," he added.
In an update Wednesday, Smith said Ontario's resources are essentially on standby. The waterbombers from Dryden will fly to Abbotsford, B.C, which is a stone's throw away from the American border. Once they are closer to California, they'll be able to respond quickly if called upon.
Pumps, hoses and incident management teams are also at the ready to support California, along with over 160 urban firefighters from Ontario.
"What is happening there is vegetation is burning and then it's lighting structures on fire. So that's why in this case, you know, we've taken urban firefighters, those that are used to dealing with structural fires and that kind of environment and making them available in this case," said Smith.
There are costs associated with deploying provincial resources, but Smith said he's not worried about the bills right now. He said there a number of agreements that will assist with cost recovery for this work.
Thousands of structures destroyed
Thousands of gallons of fire retardant have been dropped in Los Angeles County since fires broke out last week, officials say. The deadly fires have killed at least 25 people, destroyed more than 12,000 structures and displaced tens of thousands of residents so far.
The Palisades and Eaton fires are already among the most destructive in California's history, scorching more than 10,000 structures in just a matter of days. For context, Canada's most devastating wildfire — in Fort McMurray, Alta., in 2016 — destroyed an estimated 2,400 structures.
Ontario isn't the only province to step up with help for California. Pilots and aircraft from Quebec and B.C. are already fighting the fires across the border. Alberta announced last Thursday it plans to deploy water bombers and night vision helicopters to the Los Angeles area, and Saskatchewan to send resources as well.
Earlier this week Canadian Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan said dozens of firefighters from Alberta and B.C. will help fight wildfires in California, and the federal government will continue to co-ordinate efforts with the provinces to deploy resources.
While the work to support California continues, the devastation across the border is reminder that wildfire season in Ontario is not that far off.
In the province, wildfire season officially begins on April 1, lasting until the end of October. Last year, Ontario had a relatively stable season with nearly 500 wildfires reported, most of which were in northern Ontario.
"So as this goes on, of course, that doesn't stop our preparations here in Ontario and our primary goal of keeping people and communities and infrastructure safe ... So we're continuing to prepare an open window for hiring firefighters right now, as well, as we prepare for the upcoming season," said Smith.
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