Canada Takes Care Of Our Own

[cliffdiving]

Canada loses a whole city, where is the offers of foreign help? A point raised by a friend, and a good one considering the billions Canada spends of foreign aid. I went looking online, I can't find any mention of anyone sending a plane or supplies or anything...Hello Iraq? Afghanistan? Surely you Cuba? No? USA? Remember Katrina and,...no? Any you guys in Africa gonna,...No? Australia you guys had fires there a few years back and we...Oh where'd ya go? Chile that earthquake? Oh China surely after...No? Netherlands? Remember that time we liberated you from huh...No?

[Even Steven]

https://news.vice.com/article/russia-ha ... rest-fires

In a statement released Thursday, Russian Minister Vladimir Puchkov offered to "immediately" send emergency aircraft to help battle the blazes that have spread through Alberta's north throughout the week.

But considering the frosty state of relations between the two nations, it's unclear whether that was a legitimate olive branch or simply another Russian propaganda effort. Or, perhaps even more likely, a combination of both.

Puchkov said Russian air force is prepared to send Ilyushin Il-76 strategic transport planes — which the statement says can carry 42 tonnes of fire retardant material — as well as "Russian rescuers and specialists with necessary equipment to fight fires in Canada and organize ground support for aircrafts."

Apparently Canada turned down the offer for political reasons.

[cliffdiving]

https://news.vice.com/article/russia-has-made-a-questionably-sincere-offer-to-help-put-out-canadas-forest-fires
In a statement released Thursday, Russian Minister Vladimir Puchkov offered to "immediately" send emergency aircraft to help battle the blazes that have spread through Alberta's north throughout the week.
But considering the frosty state of relations between the two nations, it's unclear whether that was a legitimate olive branch or simply another Russian propaganda effort. Or, perhaps even more likely, a combination of both.
Puchkov said Russian air force is prepared to send Ilyushin Il-76 strategic transport planes — which the statement says can carry 42 tonnes of fire retardant material — as well as "Russian rescuers and specialists with necessary equipment to fight fires in Canada and organize ground support for aircrafts."
Apparently Canada turned down the offer for political reasons.

This reminds me of saying to an acquaintance or co-worker,..."If you need anything, just let me know." And in the back of my mind, I'm thinking,...'I'm not really going to help this person.'

[whatwhat]

I think we are extremely lucky to live in one of the most well off countries, were we are able to take care of our own. We are going to be able to fight this fire, and help rebuild For Mac without help, whether offered or not.

But I think making this fire political, and using it to bash other countries is sad. Just because we help others, doesn't mean they are always in a place to help us back. And to expect the same, doesn't exactly make us look our best does it.

[JayByrd]

I can kinda take the point regarding the US and perhaps Australia...but come on...Afghanistan? Cuba? What do you really expect them to do?

[Glacier]

I don't understand why the North Koreans aren't pitching in. Yes, Fort Mac is one of the richest cities in one of the richest countries on earth, and yes, pretty much everyone has insurance, and yes, the North Koreans probably don't have access to the outside news, but still the fact that they haven't pledged billions to help is just plain cruel and heartless. If they were starving and such, we'd be helping them.

[rookie314]

The Russian plan would have been turned down because we have no unilateral agreement to work together. You just can't throw aircrew and aircraft into the mix without have entrenched plans and without training together. There is also logistic issues. Where would you base the aircraft? Can they be tanked at any nearby firebases? Sounds like a great idea unless you know how fire is fought.

[Dizzy1]

The Russian plan would have been turned down because we have no unilateral agreement to work together. You just can't throw aircrew and aircraft into the mix without have entrenched plans and without training together. There is also logistic issues. Where would you base the aircraft? Can they be tanked at any nearby firebases? Sounds like a great idea unless you know how fire is fought.

Edmonton is a 45 min flight away, same with CFB Cold Lake. There are 3 airstrips in the area (Firebag, Albian and Horizon) however, I'm not sure the takeoff performance of the IL76 so those could be out. But there are hundreds of water trucks up there that could easily transport water and retardant.

Sorry, but this decision is 100% political.

[Drip_Torch]

The United States, Russia, Mexico, Australia, Taiwan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority all offered help, said John Babcock, a Global Affairs Canada spokesperson. Mr. Babcock said offers are considered against the technical needs on the ground and by the experts fighting the fire, and that the need for international assistance is not anticipated

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alb ... e29945682/

[Omnitheo]

Yeah there's nothing political at all about turning down aid. It's a matter of what assistance we feasibly need vs what we're able to do ourselves.

Like if I need help moving, it's great that my entire neighbourhood is offering to help, but really I just need my Dad and his truck.

[rookie314]

Edmonton is a 45 min flight away, same with CFB Cold Lake. There are 3 airstrips in the area (Firebag, Albian and Horizon) however, I'm not sure the takeoff performance of the IL76 so those could be out. But there are hundreds of water trucks up there that could easily transport water and retardant.

Sorry, but this decision is 100% political.

Really? Have you ever worked a fire? 45 minutes is a one and a half hour turnaround, without even loading the aircraft!!! How do you mix retardent? Do you do it like a cake? You didn't even address the lack of training, operations, language, radios, etc. I am the last person who will ever support Justin Trudeau, but the only thing that has been exposed with this thread is how ignorant people are in regards to fire operations. Sorry I only worked for 20 years in aviation working fire.

[cliffdiving]

http://globalnews.ca/video/2729116/fort ... refighters