N.L. firefighters pitching in to help tackle Alberta wildfires

Eleven firefighters from Newfoundland and Labrador are en route to Alberta to assist with wildfires that have been plaguing the Fort McMurray area.

The firefighters are employed with the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency.

The group will join their counterparts from Prince Edward Island to form a team of 17, and will be redeployed to a particular fire upon arrival in Edmonton this weekend.

The firefighting crew is expected to be deployed out west for 19 days.

The provincial government said ithas adequate resources in place to manage fires throughout the forest fire season.

Those resources include five water bombers, helicopters as well as firefightersstationed around the province.

Three other provincial government employees, who were positioned inAlberta earlier this month, were expected toreturn to Newfoundland and Labrador on May 26.