Latest news with #SOPFEU
CTV News
31-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Quebec sending 40 firefighters to fight Alberta wildfires
Two CL-415 water bombers are being prepared at Quebec City Airport on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. (Francis Vachon/The Canadian Press) Quebec will send 40 firefighters to Alberta in the coming days to help fight wildfires in the province. The firefighters, along with two representatives from Quebec's forest fire protection group, the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), will leave for the western province on Saturday, the company announced Thursday. Quebec had already deployed 40 other firefighters to Saskatchewan on July 24, as fires continue to rage from Manitoba to British Columbia. SOPFEU says that the current situation in Quebec, particularly recent rains and humidity levels, allows it to help its partners 'without compromising its response capacity in Quebec.' According to the latest data from the Alberta government, there are currently 54 fires in the province, 13 of which are out of control. - This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 31, 2025.
CTV News
24-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Amid calmer Quebec forest fire season, province sends aid to Prairies
Firefighters from Quebec are helping fight wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Firefighters from Quebec are helping fight wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. One hundred firefighters from Quebec are heading to Manitoba and Saskatchewan to help battle the wildfires. They are scheduled to depart Thursday morning from Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec City and Val-d'Or Regional Airport. About 60 firefighters are travelling to Manitoba, while 40 others are heading to Saskatchewan. They will be accompanied by four representatives from the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU). Quebec is experiencing a relatively mild forest fire season compared to the rest of the country. As of Monday, there were 121 active forest fires in Manitoba, 12 of which were considered out of control. Additionally, approximately 13,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. In Saskatchewan, as of Tuesday, there were 49 active forest fires, 14 of which were not contained. Eleven communities are currently under evacuation orders. Thursday's deployment is in addition to measures put in place by SOPFEU and the Quebec government to assist other provinces. Since the beginning of the summer, Quebec has sent, among other things, water bomber aircraft, pilots, technicians and hoses. On Monday, two water bomber aircraft from the Government Air Service of Quebec's Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility also took off to fight fires in Newfoundland and Labrador. SOPFEU adds that it is able to assist other provinces without compromising its ability to keep an eye on the situation in Quebec, where high humidity levels and recent rainfall have stabilized things. There is currently only one active fire in Quebec. Since the start of the summer, SOPFEU has fought 148 fires in its intensive protection zone, compared to an average of 352 fires at this time over the past ten years. – This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 23, 2024.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Wildfires increase calls for national firefighting service
The yearly occurrence of large-scale wildfires in Canada has prompted calls for a national fire service. Genevieve Beauchemin on the idea's potential. An inflamed wildfire season is fuelling renewed calls for Canada to set up a new national approach to fight what has become a dreaded yearly occurrence, and some proponents say it could be set up within weeks. 'We would be the only G7 country still without a national fire administration,' Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs secretary Paul Boissoneault said. 'We have provided the government with a turnkey proposal to have a national fire administration up and running by the G7 meeting.' That meeting is now less than two weeks away in Kananaskis, Alta. For years, calls for a national fire service to battle Canada's wildfires have echoed across the country. As of now, provinces and territories have mutual sharing agreements. Sixty Quebec wildland firefighters landed in Manitoba for a 14-day mission to lend a hand as the wildfire season rages in the west. Quebec has also dispatched firebombers and fire management experts to Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan. 'All that, because it has been a quieter than average fire season in Quebec so far,' said Melanie Morin, spokesperson for SOPFEU, the province's agency in charge of fighting wildfires. The extra help came too late for the northern Saskatchewan community of Denare Beach. Several homes have been reduced to ash and rubble, including the one belonging to Kari Lentowicz. 'Where was our help?' asked Lentowicz. 'We need to have boots on the ground, to have resources pre-determined before disasters happen, so we know who is coming in to help.' Thompson Rivers University Professor Mike Flannigan has been calling for a national fire service to be put into place for nearly a decade. 'We are talking about a quick deploy, well-trained group of firefighters that can be moved proactively,' said Flannigan. 'When you ask for additional help from another province, it takes on average three days for that firefighter, that helicopter, that water bomber to get to the fire. Sometimes that is three days too late.' Others agree a new approach is necessary, but point specifically to a national fire administration. 'It would basically be that intersection of information, policy and resources being spread across nationally and ensuring that we have the people making the right decisions at the right time in place with the right resources,' said Boissoneault. Eleanor Olszewski, office of the Minister of Emergency Management, told CTV News in a statement that the top priority for the moment is to respond to the immediate wildfire threat. 'At the same time, this is a new government, and we are taking a comprehensive look at how to strengthen Canada's response to wildfires and other emergencies,' the statement continued. 'The Minister is prepared to consider any measure that enhances public safety.' Flannigan says critics have issued concerns about issues with jurisdiction, fighting wildfires is a provincial responsibility, and about the high cost of setting up a new approach. But he says Canada can't afford not to act in the face of the mounting threat of wildfires. 'If it avoids one disaster. One Jasper, one Lytton it will be worth it,' says Flannigan referring to devastating wildfires in Alberta and B.C. 'And unfortunately, there will be more in the future unless we change the way we do business.'
Economic Times
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Economic Times
Canada wildfire: Quebec sends firefighters and water bombers to aid Western Canada as wildfires force mass evacuations
AP A Quebec CL-415 water bomber, previously deployed in Labrador, now joins the fight against raging wildfires across Western Canada, as thousands flee their homes in Manitoba and Saskatchewan Quebec has stepped in to help neighbouring provinces battling severe wildfires, as flames driven by a late-May heat wave continue to spread across Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Premier François Legault announced on Sunday(June 1) that a specialized management team will head to Alberta on Tuesday, and three sections of 20 firefighters each will join Manitoba's efforts to contain the blazes. Two CL-415 water bombers from Quebec are already operating in Saskatchewan, while two others have been deployed to Ontario to assist where needed. Also read: No rain in sight as Manitoba grapples with raging wildfires; 17,000 evacuated Across the Prairies, extraordinarily hot, dry conditions have fueled more than 80 active fires. Manitoba and Saskatchewan declared states of emergency this week, and Alberta is juggling 51 fires that threaten both remote forests and oil operations. In Manitoba alone, Premier Wab Kinew confirmed roughly 17,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as crews battle 23 active blazes in the north. In Saskatchewan, at least 4,000 residents were evacuated by May 28 as fires closed roads and crept toward small Winnipeg, evacuees streamed into repurposed shelters and friends' homes, uncertain where they would spend the night. 'It's hard on everybody,' said Richard Korte, a school maintenance technician who fled Flin Flon with his wife and disabled son. From a temporary emergency shelter inside a hockey arena, evacuee Chris Schultz sat in his pickup with his dog, Stella, watching for friends and relatives arriving by bus. 'I might break out crying,' he admitted, 'but Stella makes life a bit easier for some of us.' Also read: Out of control wildfire explodes across BC-Alberta border First Nations communities in northern Manitoba have felt an acute sense of urgency as fires surround isolated reserves. Some elders and people with mobility challenges have been airlifted to safety, though heavy smoke grounded at least one charter flight. Evacuees described frustration at long waits for bus rides and limited hotel space, prompting Indigenous leaders to call for priority accommodations in southern communities. While Quebec has no active fires within its intensive protection zone and has lifted a ban on open fires in the north, Legault emphasized solidarity on social media. 'Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are going through difficult times with forest fires. Premiers Scott Moe, Danielle Smith, Wab Kinew and Doug Ford can count on our help and that of SOPFEU. We are with you wholeheartedly,' he wrote, noting that Quebec's Public Safety Minister François Bonnardel is 'closely monitoring the situation here' and that recent rainfall prompted the decision to send aid . Quebec's rapid response echoes mutual assistance calls from western premiers. 'We need to stay calm,' Kinew told reporters. 'We cannot thank other jurisdictions enough,' he said, referring to firefighting crews arriving from Quebec, Ontario, and the United States, which have dispatched air tankers and 150 firefighters to Manitoba.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Canada wildfire: Quebec sends firefighters and water bombers to aid Western Canada as wildfires force mass evacuations
Quebec has stepped in to help neighbouring provinces battling severe wildfires, as flames driven by a late-May heat wave continue to spread across Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Premier François Legault announced on Sunday(June 1) that a specialized management team will head to Alberta on Tuesday, and three sections of 20 firefighters each will join Manitoba's efforts to contain the blazes. Two CL-415 water bombers from Quebec are already operating in Saskatchewan, while two others have been deployed to Ontario to assist where needed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Newly Announced Veteran Benefits For 2025 (Updated List) Veteran Deals Today Learn More Also read : No rain in sight as Manitoba grapples with raging wildfires; 17,000 evacuated The wildfire situation Live Events Across the Prairies, extraordinarily hot, dry conditions have fueled more than 80 active fires. Manitoba and Saskatchewan declared states of emergency this week, and Alberta is juggling 51 fires that threaten both remote forests and oil operations. In Manitoba alone, Premier Wab Kinew confirmed roughly 17,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as crews battle 23 active blazes in the north. In Saskatchewan, at least 4,000 residents were evacuated by May 28 as fires closed roads and crept toward small communities. In Winnipeg, evacuees streamed into repurposed shelters and friends' homes, uncertain where they would spend the night. 'It's hard on everybody,' said Richard Korte, a school maintenance technician who fled Flin Flon with his wife and disabled son. From a temporary emergency shelter inside a hockey arena, evacuee Chris Schultz sat in his pickup with his dog, Stella, watching for friends and relatives arriving by bus. 'I might break out crying,' he admitted, 'but Stella makes life a bit easier for some of us.' Also read : Out of control wildfire explodes across BC-Alberta border Situation of evacuees First Nations communities in northern Manitoba have felt an acute sense of urgency as fires surround isolated reserves. Some elders and people with mobility challenges have been airlifted to safety, though heavy smoke grounded at least one charter flight. Evacuees described frustration at long waits for bus rides and limited hotel space, prompting Indigenous leaders to call for priority accommodations in southern communities. Support and aid While Quebec has no active fires within its intensive protection zone and has lifted a ban on open fires in the north, Legault emphasized solidarity on social media . 'Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are going through difficult times with forest fires. Premiers Scott Moe, Danielle Smith, Wab Kinew and Doug Ford can count on our help and that of SOPFEU. We are with you wholeheartedly,' he wrote, noting that Quebec's Public Safety Minister François Bonnardel is 'closely monitoring the situation here' and that recent rainfall prompted the decision to send aid . Quebec's rapid response echoes mutual assistance calls from western premiers. 'We need to stay calm,' Kinew told reporters. 'We cannot thank other jurisdictions enough,' he said, referring to firefighting crews arriving from Quebec, Ontario, and the United States, which have dispatched air tankers and 150 firefighters to Manitoba.
