Two Quebec planes and their crews helping fight devastating L.A. wildfires
Pascal Duclos, head pilot for the Quebec government's aerial service, said he spent several hours in the air on Tuesday, dumping dozens of loads of water over fire-devastated areas from his plane.
Canadian pilots and crews are battling intense winds and turbulence as they combat the massive wildfires devastating the Los Angeles area. On the ground, Canadians living in the region are fleeing fast-moving flames that have destroyed neighborhoods and claimed lives.
Pascal Duclos, a lead pilot with Quebec's aerial firefighting service, spent hours on Tuesday dropping water over fire-ravaged areas. "What I saw was houses and cars in flames, people trying to save their homes by watering roofs, and firefighters working to reach the fire’s source," Duclos said. He has been traveling to California for 14 years under a government contract and described the current conditions as extreme, with fast-moving fires and severe turbulence pushing aircraft to their limits.
Quebec’s efforts include two Canadian-made CL-415 water bombers and a team of eight pilots and four technicians. These resources are sent to California annually as part of a contract that has been in place since 1994. The province’s Public Security Minister, François Bonnardel, expressed support for California’s efforts and offered additional assistance if needed.
British Columbia-based Coulson Aviation is also actively engaged in the firefighting operations. The company is using three Boeing CH-47 Chinook helitankers with 3,000-gallon capacities and a smaller Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. CEO Wayne Coulson highlighted the challenges posed by sudden and powerful winds, which delayed their aircraft's deployment until conditions improved. Coulson described the situation as one of the most severe urban firefighting efforts in decades, with hundreds of homes destroyed, many of them high-value properties.
Thousands of firefighters are working to contain the wildfires, which have claimed at least five lives and threatened iconic landmarks. Prominent Canadians, including musician Raine Maida and actor Eugene Levy, were among those forced to evacuate. Toronto-born Dayn Nanda, who lives in West Hollywood, described the scene as “apocalyptic,” noting the poor air quality and high winds that have caused damage in his area. Despite not being directly affected, Nanda offered his spare bedroom to those displaced, emphasizing the importance of community support during such crises.
The wildfires have also disrupted events, including the postponement of a Los Angeles Kings hockey game. The team thanked first responders for their efforts, stating, "We appreciate the league’s support in keeping our fans, staff, and players safe."
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, which coordinates fire management across Canada, reported no active resource deployments to California but remains prepared for potential requests.
