COCHRANE, ONT - An Ontario helicopter company is ready to help fight the devastating wildfires burning in California.
Expedition Helicopters’ UH-60 Black Hawk is stationed in Sandpoint, Idaho.
“We are ready to go but have not been asked to assist at this time,” said company president Todd Calaiezzi.
Four major wildfires in the Los Angeles, California, area have spread to over 36,000 acres. The devastating fires have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes and completely demolished neighbourhoods.
Canadian water bombers are already helping fight the blazes, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday. There are also 250 firefighters ready to deploy and the Canadian Armed Forces are on stand by to help move personnel and equipment.
The Cochrane helicopter has been in Idaho at Timberline Helicopters, an American operator, since the end of the 2024 fire season, when it was used to help fight Fort McMurray-area fires.
While Calaiezzi acknowledged the United States’ substantial firefighting resources, he said the unique nature of the current wildfires in California, has become a “high-profile” event and could lead to an eventual call for help.
Expedition Helicopters can have the Black Hawk in California within 24 hours of a call for service.
“We’re crewed and ready to go,” Calaiezzi said.
The Black Hawk can carry up to 900 gallons of water and would likely assist with water bucketing, Calaiezzi said.
“It also has foam injection, so we can inject foam, fire retardant, into the pool the water, which is very useful, especially in an urban fire, because there's a lot more things than just trees burning,” he said.
The company purchased the former U.S. military helicopter last summer. It is the third helicopter of its kind to operate in Canada.
SEE: Black Hawk 'Up' to fighting wildfires
A pair of Quebec water bombers and their crews have been helping since Tuesday.
Quebec is sending two more firefighting aircraft to the state after one of the water bombers was grounded after hitting a drone, the Canadian Press reported today.
Calaiezzi said the deployment of the Quebec water bombers is key.
“Given the close proximity to the ocean, the CL-415 will be effective in helping them. That's one of the biggest challenges with California now, is water. And that 415 aircraft is well equipped to pick up water on the ocean and basically bring it to where it's needed on the fire,” he said.
With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense, Calaiezzi sees increased opportunities for Canadian companies like his to help internationally.
“We are exploring firefighting opportunities in Chile, Indonesia, and Australia, and we are looking to expand into the U.S.,” he said.
This expansion would allow the company to deploy more quickly and effectively, as they would have the necessary American certifications and approvals in place, Calaiezzi said.
As the California wildfires continue to wreak havoc, Calaiezzi said they’re “all thinking of them.”
“Hopefully they can get this thing under control sooner than later because it's a very serious matter,” he said.