Help on the way from across Canada for crews battling B.C. wildfires - Action News
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British Columbia

Help on the way from across Canada for crews battling B.C. wildfires

Help from other provinces and the federal government began pouring in Monday for firefighters and thousands of evacuees grappling with wildfires raging across British Columbia.

About 300 firefighters coming from other provinces; Armed Forces sending aircraft and personnel

Firefighters take a breather while battling an out-of-control wildfire near Princeton, B.C. (Peter Scobie/CBC)

Help from other provinces and the federal government began pouring in Monday for firefighters and thousands of evacuees grappling with wildfires raging across British Columbia.

About 300 firefighters and support staff from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick are expected to start arriving to help relieve the pressure on roughly 1,000B.C. firefighters battling the blazes.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saidhe spoke with Premier Christy Clark as well as premier-designate John Horgan last night and the Canadian Armed Forces have sent aircraft and personnel to support the emergency response to the fires.

Provincial authorities say more than 215 fires are burning and fires have scorched about 400 square kilometres of land. More than 14,000people have been forced to leave their homes.

Public Safety Minister RalphGoodale said B.C. has requested 3,000cots and 3,000 blankets from federal stockpiles and they have been delivered to Prince George.

The province also asked for air support from the Armed Forces, which will be used for emergency evacuations and to move firefighters, emergency officials and equipment around the fire zone.