Question Period Note: Western Canada Wildfires

To inform on the current wildfire situation in Western Canada. (note: Excludes Central and Eastern Canada)

•Our thoughts continue to be with those displaced from the wildfires in Western Canada, as well as with the first responders who continue to keep residents safe throughout the country.
•The Government of Canada is committed to working with provinces, territories and whole-of-society partners to prevent, respond to, and recover from wildfire events.
•The Government Operations Centre (GOC), on behalf of the Government of Canada, is the lead for federal response coordination for emergency events affecting the national interest and works in close collaboration with federal organizations, non-governmental organizations and provincial emergency management partners.
•On June 16, President Biden announced additional US support through the American FireGuard program, which will establish information sharing between NRCan, CIFFC and US partners, providing near real-time information on fires, including early detection.
•In addition to the wildfires in Quebec and Ontario, the GOC is maintaining situational awareness of the wildfire situation, particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories.
•We are deeply grateful to the first responders, fire fighters and all those working around the clock hard to protect the health and safety of Canadians. Our provinces embroiled in wildfires have been doing an exemplary job with their provincial firefighting resources.
•In addition to the CAF supports that have been deployed, there are at least 4,035 domestic firefighters engaged, supported by 1,759 international firefighters coordinated by CIFFC.
•Firefighters are coming from all over the word to support, with more arriving from Portugal, Spain, US, Chile, South Africa, Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. Discussions are ongoing with other countries who have offered further supports.
•We maintain continuous communication with our federal and provincial partners, including Indigenous Communities, and impacts on communities are monitored on a 24/7 basis.
•The Government of Canada remains ready to support and is taking all possible steps to ensure resources are there to support provinces should the fire situation in Western Canada worsen – that includes moving firefighters nationally or internationally, CAF supports, or any of the supports we are currently providing elsewhere in Canada.
•On May 11, the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta announced a coordinated donation-matching program with the Canadian Red Cross through the 2023 Alberta Fires Appeal. The donated funds will be used for both immediate and ongoing relief and recovery efforts in response to the devastating wildfires across the province.
•On May 31, along with the Government of the Northwest Territories, we announced that we will match every dollar donated to the United Way to support Canadians impacted by these events. These donations will provide support to community organizations who are assisting those who have been evacuated from their communities.
•We are grateful for the tireless work of Canadian and international firefighters on the front lines, behind the scenes, and in the hearts of our communities. They are making a difference, and I—and all Canadians—are immensely grateful.
•Residents are reminded to exercise caution and should continue to follow instructions provided by law enforcement and first responders.

Responsive lines (if prompted)
•Emergencies are managed first at the local level. If municipal and local governments need assistance at the local level, they request it from the province or territory. If the emergency overwhelms Provincial/Territorial capacity, the province or territory may seek assistance from the federal government.
•Should a province or territory make an official Request for Federal Assistance (RFA), there is a well-established process in place for managing these requests through the GOC and includes interdepartmental consultation and coordination.

The Government Operations Centre (GOC) is mandated, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to lead and support response coordination of events affecting the national interest. It is an interdepartmental response-focused asset of the Government of Canada working in support of deputy heads, departments and agencies at the national (strategic) whole-of-government level. It brings all partners into a common environment to harmonize collective actions and abilities into efficient analysis and action.

Each year, in consultation with partners, the GOC completes a comprehensive risk assessment and planning process in advance of flooding and the wildland urban interface seasons. The intent is to increase federal preparedness to support provinces and territories for potential spring flooding and urban interface wildfires. The final outcomes include a national risk assessment and the Government of Canada Contingency Plan for each of these cyclical events. The objective of these Contingency Plans is to outline a coordinated structure for an integrated federal response to flooding or wildfire events, in support of the provinces and territories (PT), for regions of concern. The Contingency Plan also provides strategic guidance and orientation for planning and response personnel at the national level.

During the flooding and wildfire seasons, our government maintains continuous communication with our federal and provincial partners, including Indigenous Communities, while monitoring impacts on communities on a 24/7 basis.

Climate change is making natural disasters more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive. In the past few years, the Minister of Public Safety, on behalf of the federal government, has accepted increasing numbers of Requests for Assistance (RFAs) for relief efforts from devastating events including the recent impacts from Hurricane Fiona, Atmospheric River events, and BC wildfires.

Current Situation

British Columbia (BC)

The APL for British Columbia is at level 3. There are a total of 60 active fires in BC with 26 out of control. There are 24 evacuees in BC.

Tumbler Ridge District has downgraded its evacuation order to an Evacuation Alert and re-entry of evacuees has begun. CN Rail is experiencing a stoppage due to the Tumbler Ridge evacuation order. Currently no damage to rail infrastructure has been reported. BC Oil and gas infrastructure impacted by Tumbler Ridge wildfire.

The Donnie Creek wildfire has spread to 2.0 km away from the Alaskan Highway near Trutch. The fire is continuing to spread due to a north wind. Impacts to the highway may significantly impact the ability of communities north of the highway, YT, to receive supplies and essential goods. An imminent closure of the highway is not expected. The main area of concern with respect to the Alaska highway is now to the south towards Pink Mountain where the wildfire continues to advance and is approximately 20 km from the highway. It continues to have the potential to impact rural communities, oil and gas facilities, telecommunications infrastructure, and the Alaskan Highway. The province has informed industry stakeholders to be prepared for potential evacuations.    

The detour connecting Port Alberni to Lake Cowichan continues to be used by approximately 1,000 light vehicles a day. Daily convoys providing fuel and essential goods to isolated communities are ongoing, Fuel availability is deemed to be adequate. No Federal action is currently required. 

The West Kiskatinaw River Wildfire, 70 km south of Dawson Creek is classified as out-of-control (25,095 ha), however the Peace River RD has allowed their state of local emergency to expire.

The Cameron Bluff wildfire has been declared under control and is no longer a Wildfire of Note for the province. The province is preparing for the recovery process and estimates that they will be able to implement a phased reopening by 25 Jun. The detour connecting Port Alberni to Lake Cowichan continues to be used by approximately 1,000 light vehicles a day. Daily convoys providing fuel and essential goods to isolated communities are ongoing. Fuel availability is deemed to be adequate.    

An upper ridge is slowly building across BC from the west. This system will allow temperatures to climb back toward seasonal values, and may result in the Donnie Creek wildfire to spread easily, burn vigorously, and challenge fire suppression efforts by Thursday. Non-severe isolated thunderstorms are forecast for interior BC. Smoke will persist locally over parts of northern BC.

Alberta (AB)

The APL for Alberta has lowered to level 4. There are 79 active wildfires, 14 that are out of control, and 3,108 total evacuees.

A second RFA in support of AB fires was approved on 27 May. This allows for the continued provision of firefighting personnel and resources, airlift for mobility and logistical tasks, and the provision of non-technical ground reconnaissance. AB has let the RFA end as scheduled.  

The Davidson Lake Fires are impacting the community of Garden River. Garden River has an evacuation plan prepared, and high risk populations have been evacuated due to heavy smoke. An Emergency Alert has been drafted should Garden River require an evacuation order.   

The Pine Lake Complex received significant precipitation over this past weekend. It is expected that this will result in a decrease in wildfire activity. This downtrend in weather will allow fire personnel to actively work on fire suppression efforts, in advance of higher temperatures later in the week. Fire personnel continue to reinforce fireguards in the Pine Lake region. Additionally, crews are working on hot spots near Kettle Point, where fire spread beneath soil and burning underground. 

The Rocky River Fire Fort Chipewyan’s (60,568 ha) southern flank of the wildfire is 100 per cent contained. Fort Chipeywan, Allison Bay, Doghead and the airport are safe, allowing re-entry to begin this week. Re-entry will occur in three phases, and each stage will occur over 2-3 days. Starting 19 Jun, Phase 1 re-entry will start with essential workers. Starting 22 Jun, Phase 2 will allow the general public and land users back to the area. Starting 24 Jun, Phase 3 will support people with health and/or mobility issues through re-entry.

The towns of Edson, Marlboro, and Millers Lake and areas south of highway 16 remain under evacuation. The Town of Edson has rescinded their 4-hour Evacuation Alert, however the alert remains for the surrounding Yellowhead County. Crews continue to work along Highway 16 and 47 corridors to protect values adjacent to the fire including power poles and critical infrastructure. The highways are critical points of movement for the remaining residents' ability to evacuate.

CAF personnel have completed type III firefighting tasks in the Town of Edson. Redeployment and transfer of command authority to Canadian 3 Division will occur Thursday along with an end to reporting for Op LENTUS 23-01.

ESDC continues to support affected communities with support to accessing services and conducting wellness checks with employers who have Temporary Foreign Workers. ISC, TC, PSPC, ESDC, PC, CAF, PS and NGOs continue to support AB under their own mandates.

CN reported a train derailment in southern AB. As of 18 Jun, CN crews and local first responders continue to respond to the incident. 17 railcars were derailed, 3 of which were reported to be carrying dangerous goods. No leaks have been reported. As of this report, all derailed cars have been cleared and the track is passable. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

CN Rail continues to reduce train speed across PNR due to extreme temperatures to mitigate fire risk.  

There are approx. 1,701 personnel and 179 aircraft from within AB responding to the wildfires. In addition, 1,073 out-of-province personnel (International, other P/Ts) and one aircraft is being provided: 361 personnel from Australia, 25 from New Zealand, 158 from the United States, 427 from South Africa, 41 from Costa Rica and 61 from Chile.

Non-severe isolated thunderstorms are forecast for parts of AB. Smoke will persist locally over parts of northern AB. Warm weather is expected to bring above-normal temperatures for northern parts of AB over the weekend (24-25 Jun), along with a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms.
 
Northwest Territories (NT)

The APL for Northwest Territories: Not reported (NR). There are 16 active wildfires, 14 that are out of control, and 408 total evacuees.

The Sambaa K’e wildfire 345,191 has grown considerably and is out of control and is now approximately 8 km south of Sambaa K’e. The fire has not reached the community of Sambaa K’e and with forecast conditions and the work completed so far, it is not expected to over the next three days. Preliminary planning continues for potential evacuations for the communities of Nahanni Butte and Fort Liard in case wildfire continues to spread. Structure protection continues across the fire area, expanding fuel breaks to the south and using air support to reduce the intensity of the fire where possible and as conditions allow.

The Government of Canada and the Government of NT have coordinated a donation-matching program with the United Way. Donated funds will be used for both immediate and ongoing relief and recovery efforts in response to the devastating wildfires across the territory.

Weather models suggest hot weather for an area covering southern NT. Fire danger is high to extreme for pockets of central NT.

CIFFC

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) is at a National Preparedness Level (NPL) of 5 (Extreme fire danger and load, inadequate agency resource levels, and inadequate ability to respond to resource requests).

Requests for Assistance

When a PT makes an official RFA, there is a well-established process in place for managing RFAs, through the GOC at Public Safety Canada, that includes interdepartmental consultation and coordination of all departments as required. The GOC coordinates formal RFAs from the federal government and PTs and liaises with key organizations such as the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and non-governmental organizations like the Canadian Red Cross through the Humanitarian Work force program.

When the emergency involves a First Nation (FN) community, FN leadership, depending on relevant emergency management agreements, will work in collaboration with their PTs and/or ISC or regional officials, to assess the emergency and propose a response. If a resolution is not possible at the regional level, a request for assistance may be sought.

The GOC and provincial and territorial partners maintain continuous communication and share situational awareness. The GOC will continue to monitor activities in conjunction with its partners and be prepared to respond to any requests for federal assistance.

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