As Fort McMurray struggles to contain an out-of-control wildlife, governments and agencies across the country are pitching in to help.
Here’s a glimpse of what they’re doing:
- Canadian Forces Base Trenton has dispatched a hulking C-130J Hercules aircraft to help airlift people from fire-ravaged communities. Other aircraft have been put on standby.
- On Wednesday, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that her province would be sending 100 firefighters and 19 support staff on Friday.
- Quebec has sent four water bombers, and the province’s firefighting agency, SOPFEU, will also send personnel.
- Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball has declared that two water bombers and a team of firefighters are on standby, awaiting an invitation to help.
- Saskatchewan has already sent water tankers to its neighbouring province. More supplies and personnel at ready.
- Nunavut has provided $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to help victims.
- Across Alberta, communities like Edmonton and Calgary are sending firefighting resources, and taking in thousands of evacuees. Four hours from Fort McMurray, the Kehewin Cree Nation is offering free space for evacuees to set up tents and RVs.
- The city of Winnipeg has offered firefighters, though the province of Manitoba, like British Columbia, says that their resources are too stretched battling their own blazes to send personnel. B.C., however, plans to send hoses and more than 100 water pumps in the near future.
- The Canadian Forces have dispatched four search-and-rescue helicopters from nearby bases in Edmonton and Cold Lake.
- RCMP officers from across Alberta have been dispatched to Fort McMurray to assist with security operations.
