Firefighting aircraft provided by the Quebec government and a B.C.-based company are helping fight a massive wildfire in the Los Angeles area.
They include Canadian-made water bombers from Quebec, as well as Coulson Aviation helicopters that the company says are “on the frontline” of the fight.
Coulson said in a social media post that its crews are facing “high winds and challenging conditions” in the fight against the Palisades fire.
Thousands of firefighters are battling multiple blazes that have killed at least two people and destroyed more than 1,000 structures in the Los Angeles area as of Wednesday morning, according to Los Angeles County's fire chief.
Tens of thousands of people in the affluent Los Angeles suburb of Pacific Palisades were forced to flee the fast-moving wildfires, some forced to abandon their cars and flee on foot due to extremely strong winds.
Pictures from the Pacific Palisades neighborhood showed firefighters in front of large homes that were engulfed in flames, while residents fled the flames, fierce winds and clouds of smoke. At least 70,000 residents were ordered to evacuate, officials said Wednesday.
Coulson's social media post included a screenshot showing the flight paths of three water-bombing helicopters repeatedly circling the neighborhood.
The company, based in Port Alberni, B.C., but also operating in the U.S. and Australia, said its aircraft in the firefight included a double-rotor Chinook and a small Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, contracted to local utility Southern California Edison.
That meant Coulson's aircraft served Los Angeles and Orange and Ventura counties directly and were the first on the scene of wildfires.
CEO Wayne Colson told CBC News that his crews had been dispatched to multiple fires in the LA area and would support ground crews if needed.
Amid wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area, BC-based Coulson Aviation has sent crews and equipment to help. Company CEO Wayne Coulson spoke about the fast-moving fire and how his people are being challenged on every front.
“Unfortunately, in this particular fire, the wind was very violent, and the fire started immediately. It was about a three to four hour headstart before any aircraft got into it,” he told CBC host Gloria Makarenko. on the coast.
“It's at the urban interface, and it's taking out hundreds and hundreds of homes,” Coulson told The Canadian Press. “And many of those houses are, of course, very, very expensive.
“As soon as the wind dies down, we'll control it relatively quickly. But that's just how much damage has been done in the meantime.”
No official request for support from Canada: Officials
BC Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar said the province is standing by to help with the California wildfires, but has yet to receive a request.
“British Columbia knows all too well the devastating effects of wildfires,” he said in a statement emailed to CBC News.
“My thoughts are with the people of Los Angeles as they face this extremely challenging situation … and B.C. will provide support in any way we can in the coming days.”
A spokesperson for Quebec's Department of Transportation said two Quebec government planes have been actively involved in fighting the fire since Tuesday.
Canadian-made CL-415 firefighting aircraft are sent to California each fall as part of an annual contract that has existed since 1994, the department said on its website. The contract usually starts in September and says it lasts 90 to 180 days.
Stéphane Caron of SOPFEU, Quebec's forest fire protection agency, said the planes are being dispatched with their own pilots, co-pilots and technicians.
Quebec Public Safety Minister Francois Bonnardel posted a message of support for California Gov. Gavin Newsom on X, saying the province is ready to send more firefighters to the state if needed.
“California is living through difficult times right now because of wildfires,” Bonnardel wrote. “The governor can count on the Government of Quebec and the SOPFEU, if necessary, to support him in this fight.”
Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley, speaking to her county counterpart on Wednesday, said a second large wildfire has broken out in the LA suburb of Sylmar.
The outbreak prompted the NHL to postpone Wednesday's home game between the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames.
Kingsley said in a statement that the team appreciates the hard work of first responders who are trying to contain the fire and protect the community.
“We appreciate the league's cooperation in keeping our fans, staff and players safe,” the statement said.
