How Ontario and Canada is helping fight the L.A. wildfires — plus Eugene Levy among Canadian celebrities who have lost their homes
“Schitt’s Creek” star Eugene Levy and Cameron Mathison, who currently stars on the show “General Hospital,” were among the celebrities with Canadian ties whose homes were destroyed by the fires.
With the L.A. wildfires raging and causing extensive damage and loss in Southern California — and Canadians are sending help.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford committed to sending help — amid the devastation.
“Ontario will always stand ready to serve. I’ve directed officials to send every available water bomber to fight these fires,” Ford said in a post on X on Thursday. “We’ll provide whatever personnel and equipment is needed and spare no expense to help our closest friends and allies.”
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The scenes out of California are devastating.
Ontario will always stand ready to serve. I’ve directed officials to send every available water bomber to fight these fires. We’ll provide whatever personnel and equipment is needed and spare no expense to help our closest friends…
— Doug Ford (@fordnation)
The province is expected to co-ordinate with Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre and the federal government about how resources will be put into action. The province has reported Ontario is providing 165 urban firefighters along with supplies and personnel.
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A senior management team from BC Wildfire Service has also been sent south to help with the wildfires — with a ground crew also being assembled.
CAL FIRE has asked for a senior management team from BC Wildfire Service – They will be departing imminently.
We're also working to send ground crews as part of a national response.
California has been there for us, we will be there for them. That’s what good neighbours do.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby)
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“California has been there for us, we will be there for them,” said B.C.‘s premier David Eby on Friday. “That’s what good neighbours do.”
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Canadian water bombers are in action on the front lines in California, said Steven Guilbeault, the federal minister of Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Canada is here to lend a helping hand.
Canadian water bombers are already in action on the front lines in California.
I have also asked firefighting resources to be on stand by, should additional resources be required.
— Steven Guilbeault (@s_guilbeault)
On Friday, Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel said on X Quebec will send two additional Societe De Protection Des Forets air tankers and their crews starting Jan. 15 — bringing the total to four air tankers from Quebec to aid in the fight.
Bill Blair, Canada’s minister of national defence, he’s approved a request to deploy Royal Canadian Air Force assets to transport firefighters, equipment, and other resources to California, to assist in fighting the wildfires.
What Canadian celebrities have been impacted by the L.A. wildfires
“Schitt’s Creek” star Eugene Levy and Cameron Mathison, who currently stars on the show “General Hospital,” were named as two Canadian actors in a long list of celebrities whose homes were destroyed in the devastating fires.
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”We are safe but this is what’s left of our beautiful home,” the caption reads on a video Mathison posted on Instagram on Jan. 8. ”Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.”
Dan Levy, Eugene Levy’s son, for people who have been affected by the fires on his Instagram.
reports that Eugene Levy dubbed the “honorary mayor of the Palisades” lost his $3.9 million property.
“The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon,” Eugene Levy told by phone. “I couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark.”
View this post on Instagram
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Canadian musicians Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace and wife Chantal Kreviazuk shared in a post on Instagram they were safe following the fires.
“We appreciate all your kindness. We remain hopeful. But we’re also devastated for our friends and community in Southern California who are going through simply too much,” the couple shared. “We are grateful for the first responders heroic efforts.”
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Evelyn Harford is a reporter on Metroland’s Digital Content
Team. Reach Evelyn at eharford@metroland.com.
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