The New Brunswick government is prepared to send 23 firefighters to California to fight the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County if they are needed.
In a release, the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development said those firefighters had completed their mandatory fitness test and were ready to deploy.
“We were asked, our team responded, and they are poised to go as soon as we receive the call,” said John Herron, the Natural Resources Minister. “When neighbours are in trouble, you help. I am impressed with everyone’s willingness to step up and how quickly this all came together over the weekend.”
There has also been support from New Brunswick businesses offering assistance to transport the firefighters.
J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI), a major forestry company based in Saint John, is one of them.
“Being ready to respond to wildfires is an important part of what we do,” said Jim Irving, co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Limited, which is prepared to contribute two planes to the effort. “And being a good neighbour is top of the list. We’re always happy to do what we can to help in times of crisis.”
Alongside JDI, Cooke Aquaculture, which has significant ties to Charlotte County, and Ocean Capital have also offered help in getting firefighters to the United States.
John Irving, the president of Ocean Capital said in the release, that when New Brunswick was called upon to help, they agreed to help.
“It is our duty to support our neighbours during this challenging time and our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Cooke Aquaculture CEO Glenn Cooke said those who serve as first responders are truly heroes.
“As a New Brunswick family company, we’re honoured to support their commitment to safety and willingness to jump into action to help Californians,” he said in the statement.
The department’s wildfire management branch often works with its Atlantic region partners to “determine the response when the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre calls.”
“New Brunswick has highly trained and experienced wildland firefighters and overhead personnel, and we are ready to deploy quickly as part of an Atlantic contingent,” said branch director Troy Adams.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre is a not-for-profit corporation owned and operated by the federal, provincial, and territorial wildland fire management agencies to co-ordinate mutual aid, according to the release.
New Brunswick deployed 144 members of its wildfire team across Canada last year to assist in fighting wildfires.
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