Amid tensions placed on the traditionally amicable Canadian-American relationship by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, via threats of tariffs and annexation, Canada is proving just how valuable a neighbour it can be as massive wildfires rage through Southern California.
Water-bombing crews, pilots and planes — which have taken the internet by storm the past week or so — from Canada have been battling heavy turbulence and absurdly high winds in the ongoing fight against the fires, which have decimated the Palisades and continue to threaten large swaths of Los Angeles.
Quebec’s CL-415 aircrafts, which are known as “Super Scoopers,”, are specially designed firefighting planes that can skim the surface of the ocean and scoop up more than 5,600 litres of water to drop on active fires.
As the fires continue, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken to X multiple times to let Californians know that “we’ve got your back,” while sharing footage of the Super Scoopers.
These bad boys are truly a sight to behold:
Canadian aerial firefighting aircraft readying for another pass over the Southern California wildfires. Always here to help our American friends. 🇨🇦🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/JwpNQIiEi8
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 12, 2025
Alberta Wildfire is sending two crews of firefighters to assist our friends in California with their current wildfire situation. We wish them good luck and a safe return as they depart this morning. pic.twitter.com/1gLG6DkV99
— Alberta Wildfire (@AlbertaWildfire) January 13, 2025
Aside from these Quebec water bombers, which were sent to the Los Angeles area as part of a long-standing agreement between Canada and California, B.C.-based company Coulson Aviation has sent several helicopters, along with pilots and crews, to the front lines of the blaze. Canada is also set to deploy even more firefighters from multiple provinces, as officials try to identify, prepare and send more personnel and resources to the area in the days ahead.
Canada’s assistance has come amid a time of rising tensions between the two friendly nations, a result mainly of Trump’s rhetoric in recent weeks after he threatened to slap a blanket 25 per cent tariffs on his northern neighbours a soon as he enters office on Jan. 20.
The incoming U.S. president said “we don’t need anything they have,” adding that the U.S. would be just fine if it stopped importing Canadian automobiles, lumber and dairy altogether.
Trump has also threatened the use of “economic force” to cripple the country and eventually annex the nation altogether.
Many on social media were happy to remind the soon-to-be-president why Canada is such a valuable neighbour.
“We don’t need anything that Canada has.” – Donald Trump
As they use Canadian waterbombers to fight the wildfires in California. https://t.co/D85JmTj6uE
— JABO Vancouver (@jabo_vancouver) January 8, 2025
Regarding the California wildfires…
Canada sent help to the US, and offered more help if requested.Mexico offered aid to the USUkraine offered aid to the USRussia offered aid to the US
President elect Trump offered insults.
— Speaking Truths (@VeraLoquor) January 14, 2025
Isn’t it crazy how Firefighters traveled all the way from Canada & Mexico just to help CA put out our wildfires and then just one week from now on Jan 20th Trump will be trying to deport those same people from Mexico and Canada. A truly mind numbing paradox. #PalisadesWildfire
— Cam Forbes (@Cam_Forbes11) January 13, 2025
Thank you Canada and Mexico for sending firefighters to help put out the California wildfires. You are good neighbors and we are very grateful. And my apologies for Trump who doesn’t understand what being a good neighbor is. Nor is he capable of learning.
— Kathleen Vullis (@KathyVulliis12) January 12, 2025
Please stop insulting the intelligence, self determination and the freedom of Canadians.
Our amazing sisters and brothers up north are using these amphibious ‘Super Scooper’ airplanes from Quebec to pick up saltwater from the Santa Monica Bay and drop on the Palisades Fire.
We… pic.twitter.com/v6n39VsRhE
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) January 10, 2025
Others across social media have been chiming in on this development for a completely different, non-political reason: these planes are just so damn cool to watch in action.
There was plenty of praise to go around for the pilots who operate these planes, too, and deservedly so — these masters of the air might have the most under-appreciated job in the world.
Amazing. Definitely give these firefighters the credit the deserve —Amphibious ‘Super Scooper’ airplanes from Quebec, Canada are picking up seawater from the Santa Monica Bay to drop on the Palisades Fire. pic.twitter.com/94fL561Yez
— Mark Greene (@RemakingManhood) January 10, 2025
Super scooper planes on lease from Quebec dropping water on the Palisades fire. These are extremely talented pilots who risk their lives to save the lives of others. They are by far underappreciated. pic.twitter.com/YMC15PrsPt
— Mike Tacular (@MikeTacular33) January 7, 2025
Sights and sounds of the Canadair CL-415 Super Scooper from the past couple years, one from SOPFEU in Quebec, and another from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Did you know the CL-415 could drop a partial load of water?
They are working hard in Los Angeles this month. pic.twitter.com/oAxNv6rwXs
— Terry McBurnie (@TMcBphoto) January 12, 2025
Did you know Quebec sends California two Canadian ‘Super Scooper’ planes, annually? They scoop up to 1.5 gallons of water to drop on active fires. https://t.co/cNKxCYYD0T
— rome (@romeramreem) January 10, 2025
Quebec’s water bomber, CL-415 or “Super Scooper” aircrafts, along with their pilots and crews, are sent to California to assist in wildfire relief every fall as part of an annual contract inked between the state and province back in 1994.
The “Palisades Fire” ripping through Los Angeles County — now considered one of the most destructive wildfires in California history — began a week ago on Jan. 7 and continues to burn. As of Jan. 14, that particular fire has reportedly torched over 23,000 acres and destroyed 5,000-plus structures and is only 15-18 per cent contained. Widespread evacuations have impacted much of the area (around 90,000 people have been displaced so far) and millions of people in Los Angeles are on standby, while being urged to be ready to evacuate at any time.
The crisis is part of a larger wildfire situation currently affecting Los Angeles and Southern California. The disaster has been accelerated by severe drought conditions and incredibly strong Santa Ana winds, which picked up again on Tuesday. At least 24 people have died across multiple fires in the region as of this writing, with that number expected to rise as rescue efforts continue over the coming days and weeks.