BC Wildlife Sends Team to Help Combat LA Fires: Premier Eby

Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2025. Ethan Swope/AP Photo

B.C. Premier David Eby said a senior management team from BC Wildlife Service will be heading to California imminently to help combat fires in the state.

Eby made the comments in a Jan. 10 post on the X platform, saying the province was also sending ground crews as part of a national response.

The senior team is expected to consist of about 12 people, but the number could increase if California requires further deployments.

They are expected to be there for at least two weeks.

B.C.’s Minister of Forests said the team was expected to arrive at about 4 p.m. local time Jan. 11, in a video posted to X.

“California has been there for us, we will be there for them. That’s what good neighbours do,” Eby said.

Large fires in the state have killed at least 10 people and destroyed more than 10,000 homes and other structures.

Other provinces have also contributed to the California wildfire situation by sending equipment and manpower to help fight the blazes.

Ontario is expected to send incident command system personnel, two CL-415 waterbombers, firefighters, and other equipment, according to a Jan. 10 Public Safety Canada news release.

“Canadians are grateful for the support and solidarity extended to Canada by the United States during our own challenging wildfire season last year,” the release said.

Two CL-415 waterbombers are already in L.A. from Quebec’s fleet, sent in August 2024. The province said it will add two more CL-415 skimmer airtankers and could also send more water bombers if needed. Quebec said it has 60 firefighters on standby to deploy.

Alberta has also contributed to the efforts by sending up to 40 firefighters to the area. It also says it could send more firefighters, incident command personnel, and support staff. Alberta is also getting waterbombers and night vision helicopters ready.

“Our federal and provincial partners are actively mobilizing resources, including specialized crews, aircraft, and logistical support, to assist where needed,” Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan said in the release. “We are committed to working closely with our American counterparts to provide effective and timely aid during this difficult time.”

Ottawa said that agencies including the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard, Global Affairs Canada, and Natural Resources Canada were in discussions with U.S. officials, including the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, California’s Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the City of Los Angeles, to determine how to assist.

California’s fires started on Jan. 7.

Government officials have not provided an estimated cost of the damage, but one private firm says it could be up to US$150 billion (about $210 billion).

More than 150,000 people were under evacuation orders as of Jan. 10.

The Associated Press, The Canadian press contributed to this report.