Macron announces France is sending 100 firefighters to Quebec
France will be sending firefighters to aid Quebec as the province continues to battle massive forest fires.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted Sunday that France is “united” in the desire to help.
“A hundred of our firefighters are preparing to fight the flames alongside their Quebec comrades. Experts are also mobilized,” he tweeted in French. “Canadian friends, reinforcements are coming.”
“Merci cousins!” Quebec Premier Francois Legault tweeted in response.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also thanked the French president on behalf of Canadians, tweeting in French,"Our two countries are the closest friends and strongest partners, and this relationship is more important than ever."
There are currently 141 forest fires burning in Quebec, with the military gearing up to help fight the fires alongside fire crews. Quebec forest fire prevention organization SOPFEU has 475 firefighters tackling the blazes.
More than 10,000 people have been forced from their homes so far due to evacuations in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region, which borders Ontario, as well as the North Shore community of Sept-Iles and its outskirts, and residents in Lebel-sur-Quevillon.
Although forest fires are not uncommon in the province at this time of year, this is a significantly more severe start to fire season than usual, with federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair calling the situation “unprecedented” on Thursday.
Canada has agreements to share firefighters with the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Costa Rica.
Hundreds and other experts had arrived to Canada from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to help with forest fires. Most have been deployed to Alberta thus far.
Alberta and Nova Scotia have also suffered massive forest fires recently. The fires in Nova Scotia are largely contained as of Sunday, and a state of emergency that Alberta has been under since early May is expiring Sunday.
RISKIN REPORTS
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Homeowners brace for mortgage payment shock amid higher-for-longer rate outlook
From ultra-low interest rates that led to a huge spike in real estate demand to the speed with which interest rates shot up to levels not seen in a generation, it's been hard to keep up with the shifting landscape for mortgage holders.
Before and after: Damage in wake of Canada's wildfires seen from space
Images captured by satellite show that the damage left in the wake of some of Canada's worst wildfires.
McDonald's, Wendy's defeat lawsuit over size of burgers
McDonald's and Wendy's have defeated a lawsuit accusing them of deceiving hungry diners by exaggerating the size of their burgers.
DEVELOPING New York fraud trial accusing Trump of lying about his wealth opens as he denounces it as a 'scam'
The fraud lawsuit that could cost former U.S. president Donald Trump control of some of his most prized properties went to trial Monday, with New York state lawyers vowing to hold him accountable while he denounced the case as a politically motivated 'scam.'
Precedent-setting espionage trial of former RCMP intelligence director general begins Tuesday
The trial of Cameron Ortis, a former senior RCMP intelligence official accused of passing on top-secret national security data, is set to begin on Tuesday.
10 people are dead after Mexico church roof collapses. No more survivors believed buried in rubble
The collapse of a church roof during a mass in northern Mexico has killed at least 10 people and injured 60, and searchers said Monday that no further people were believed to be trapped in the wreckage.
Couple and dog killed by bear at Banff National Park
Two people are dead after a bear attack in Alberta's Banff National Park.
Where can I get a COVID-19 rapid test? CTV News looks at the rules in each province and territory
As Canadians prepare for another respiratory virus season this fall and winter, some may be curious to know if what they have is a cold, flu or possibly COVID-19. With rapid antigen tests being one popular option, CTV News looks at how many are still in stock in Canada and where you can get one.
What you need to know about the election of a new Speaker
On Tuesday, MPs will be electing a new Speaker of the House of Commons, in the wake of Anthony Rota's resignation. It will be a day for the Canadian political history books, as well as a day full of pomp and procedure. Here's what you need to know about the role, the contenders, and the process.