I'm glad to see Samaritan's Purse, a Franklin Graham ministry, is sending relief, aid, and comfort to those affected by this living nightmare. I hope many other entities can rally together to help these poor people.
Alberta fires
- Thread starter staropeace
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Previously in this discussion, someone asked why the US was not offering assistance to fight the fire.
Trudeau turns down Russian, U.S., Mexican offers to help battle Fort McMurray wildfire | Globalnews.ca
I had heard about Russia offering, but this is the first I heard of the other countries.
I'm not going to judge whether he should accept or not, but I do think it's important for Canadians (and people from any country that offered) to know an offer was made.
Trudeau turns down Russian, U.S., Mexican offers to help battle Fort McMurray wildfire | Globalnews.ca
I had heard about Russia offering, but this is the first I heard of the other countries.
I'm not going to judge whether he should accept or not, but I do think it's important for Canadians (and people from any country that offered) to know an offer was made.
AnnaMarie - thank you for the link. I was among those who asked about the US.
Neesy
#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
Thank you for the update. My son Sean posted this picture on Facebook:
"This is what I saw during take off when I left Fort Mcmurray this afternoon. An hour earlier the sky was clear and I was leaving feeling confident that the fire was under control. I can't believe how fast everything changed. I hope everyone gets out safely and that we are able to help people quickly."
p.s. dated May 3rd but I just saw it now.
...I don't understand the issue of not accepting help from outside...logistically it would be difficult, but if it's a matter of money-most of these people would probably do it for just food and a place to rest...firefighting is a passion as well as a service...if it's national pride, that's ridiculous...get these front liners some relief and beat the beast into submission.... More hands, more fire gets eaten....
I don't think it's about money. Canada has sent help to the states many times. Not necessarily to fight fires, but power outages due to weather, and hurricanes. So, it's not about "owing" anything back either. Definitely not with US, and probably not with Mexico either.
I'm no expert in this area, but my understanding is, the direct threats to cities have lowered. Spring, summer, autumn, there are always forests on fire somewhere in this country. (There is currently a big one in BC.) Ontario is sending help, as are other provinces. If there are to many planes dropping water bombs, it becomes a risk. To many planes in a small area, with poor visibility risks a collision, or one plane dumping on another. This risk would be higher with pilots who work differently. The Canadian groups are accustomed to working together...it would be easy to assume someone else works the same way, but maybe they don't.
I guess, AnnaMarie. I just don't see why the Canadian government can't say to the US, "Sure, we'd love to have you drop some C-130 loads of slurry onto this bonfire to calm down whatever can be calmed down."
I'm glad that the US offered to help. That's a relief.
I'm glad that the US offered to help. That's a relief.
Might not be seeing the big picture, but there can be a coordinated efforts to put out the fires. It's done all they time with fires, floods, any disaster. Both air and ground. Would not more/ additional experienced wildfire fighters be of help- allowing those who need rest to rest and covering a greater area for fighting? If not for fighting, then how about more rescue efforts for pets and wildlife? Like I said, I do not have the whole picture, so I do not judge, just question.
Trudeau turns down Russian, U.S., Mexican offers to help fight Fort Mac wildfire | CTV News
I'm not a fan of Prime Minister Selfie.
However
Would you want your firefighters up here going door to door looking for lost pets? There are many other people willing and capable to do that.
As help is arriving from across Canada, the firefighters in Alberta are getting a rest. I don't imagine help from another country could have arrived faster.
~~~
The fire has been named. The Beast.
I'm not a fan of Prime Minister Selfie.
HoweverWould you want your firefighters up here going door to door looking for lost pets? There are many other people willing and capable to do that.
As help is arriving from across Canada, the firefighters in Alberta are getting a rest. I don't imagine help from another country could have arrived faster.
~~~
The fire has been named. The Beast.
I must note that there are Hot Shots from Montana, the Dakotas, Idaho that could be brought in that are not so far away. And slurry-carrying planes and copters are a pretty quick trip. Yes, I do realize that coordination may be a problem. But maybe we should try to build on a cooperative effort rather than dismissing it.
All that aside, all the best. We feel for you. Montana's been hit with horrendous fires over the past decade or two, as has Colorado. It's a tough thing to endure.
The people who made the decision and advised the PM, are the ones out there in the area. They live and work there. Their friends and extended families also live and work there. I trust their professional opinions on this. (Wouldn't have trusted the PM's opinion...but then, he had the sense to ask them.)
The fire has left the city. It's still a huge fire, but it's not eating the city anymore. And when I said international help probably couldn't have arrived faster, I meant last week; while they were trying to push it back from the city.
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Chances are, a few places in the US west are probably staying on alert. If needed, they'll be ready to go as soon as asked. (The PM said international assistance is not neede at this time. )
One other thing I want to say. I am so happy that some Americans had been as upset as some Canadians when it was thought no offer was made; people here at SKMB but also some on my fb page, and some on various fb pages. Sometimes Canadians feel kind of invisible, and it's nice to know when we really need it, people care and want to help.
Neesy
#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
No kidding! The US has so many more resources in their Air Force - I was always amazed in the past when I had to work air shows in Trenton, Ontario.
Now we have fires in Northern Ontario as well:
News - Winnipeg men rescued from Manitoba-Ontario forest fires - The Weather Network
If you scroll down a bit there is a video about Fort McMurray as well.
In 2014 there were over 6,000 forest fires in Canada. Link includes interesting graphs regarding size.
By the numbers: A look at the 2015 Canadian forest fire season | Globalnews.ca
Last year, Canada accepted help from three countries, and our own military, to fight a fire. The military has also offered in the Fort McMurray fire.
2015 Canadian wildfires - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The cats have been rescued folks!!!!!!!!!
Thankful!!!!!!!
Neesy
#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
Thanks - interesting - check out Natural Resources Canada website, too.
Forest fires | Natural Resources Canada
This SKMB can be quite educational.
It would appear they were right. The fire is not out yet, but much more under control. Trucks have started heading into the city. The one mentioned on the news was Shaw. They want Internet up ASAP.