Canadian aviation teams are crucial in battling the devastating fires in Los Angeles, providing essential support and resources.
Coulson Aviation, based in British Columbia, shared footage of their crew tackling the Palisades Fire in California. Their helicopters and Quebec’s waterbombing planes have been vital in fighting the fires that have tragically claimed at least 25 lives and destroyed countless homes.
Quebec is sending two more water bombers to California, adding to their support. The aerial firefight has been crucial, especially with strong winds making it hard for ground crews to reach the flames. Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Aviation, noted that when winds hit 140 kilometers per hour, stopping the fire becomes nearly impossible, forcing evacuations.
“This firefight is different from what we’ve seen before,” he explained. “We had to rely on large aerial assets to help ground crews.” Coulson Aviation operates three Boeing CH-47 Chinook helitankers, each holding over 11,000 liters of water, along with an intelligence-gathering helicopter for nighttime operations.
In just a week, they’ve dropped over a million gallons of water, mostly at night. Quebec’s additional CL-415 aircraft brings their total support to four water bombers, along with 12 pilots and six technicians. Pascal Duclos, the head pilot from Quebec, described the wildfire situation as a “tragedy,” highlighting the extensive damage to infrastructure and communities.
He warned that dry conditions and strong winds could spark new fires, but thankfully, one of their planes that had a collision with a drone is back in action. By Wednesday, winds had calmed down, and no structures were currently threatened. “We’re just mopping up the remaining big fires,” Coulson said, hoping for a quiet few days ahead.
Morale among the team remains high. “The adrenaline kicks in, and everyone wants to help,” he said. The aggressive air support has been crucial, as local authorities noted that without these resources, the fires could have been much larger.
Coulson emphasized the importance of nighttime aerial support, suggesting that Canada needs to enhance its capabilities for tackling wildfires after dark. He praised the international cooperation, stating, “Fire knows no boundaries, and it’s great to have that support.”
Luc Dugas, an engineer from Quebec’s forest fire prevention agency, mentioned they’re ready to send more firefighters if California requests assistance, recalling how California helped Quebec during its record wildfire season in 2023. “We can deploy about 60 firefighters if needed,” he said, though no requests have come in yet.
