Ontario to pre-position two waterbombers in BC, if needed for California wildfire efforts

Two Canadian CL-415 waterbombers belonging to the Ontario government will be sent to British Columbia to be pre-positioned to respond to the California wildfires should they be required.

The crews are scheduled to travel from Dryden Ont. to Abbotsford, B.C. on Wednesday, the Ministry of Natural Resources told CTV News. They could then be sent to California should “the official request come in for aid,” the ministry said.

Additionally, 165 urban firefighters from Ontario have volunteered to join the fight and are on standby waiting to be called, the ministry said. Fire suppression equipment, and an incident management team of up to 20 experts in logistics, command and coordination are also on standby, if requested.

Earlier in January, the province had offered two waterbombers and pilots, 165 urban firefighters, and 20 additional emergency response personnel to help control the wildfires, which have so far killed at least 25 people and displaced over 100,000 residents.

“Our closest friend and our closest ally needs help, and we’re going to make sure we’re going to be there supporting them,” Premier Doug Ford said during a news conference at the time.

Ford added that, if necessary, the province is prepared to send up to 300 more firefighters to help.

The Eaton fire and the Palisades fire that destroyed the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood in Los Angeles broke out on Jan. 7, and have since ravaged through the state. Last week, high winds pushed the flames further, carrying embers miles away and leading to more destruction.

Over 77,000 houses are reportedly without electricity as utilities have shut off the power to prevent any lines from sparking new blazes.

Earlier, two Canadian-made CL-415 planes belonging to the Quebec government were sent to California, as well as some helicopters belonging to B.C.-based Coulson Aviation.