B.C. Wildfire Service to answer California’s call for support

The B.C. government says Californian firefighters battling major wildfires devastating L.A. County have requested help and the province will answer.

B.C.’s minister of forests, Ravi Parmar, says the state’s fire response service, CAL Fire requested “senior-level” expertise on the frontlines of the fire.

“California has supported us in our time of need, and we’re now able to reciprocate that support,” said Parmar.

“This is of course a rapidly evolving situation, but we will deploy the resources that our partners need.”

In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, the ministry says both wildfire services met Thursday to discuss next steps.

“We will deploy the resources that our neighbours need and are finalizing the details now,” the ministry explained.

Premier David Eby says the BC Wildfire Service reached out to CAL Fire, offering assistance Wednesday.

“We will always stand with our American neighbours when they are in need,” Eby wrote on social media Thursday.

Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadian water bombers are already in action and 250 firefighters were ready to deploy to help fight the wildfires south of the border.

Already this week, firefighting aircraft provided by the Quebec government and a B.C.-based company were mobilized to join the fight.