Randy, how are you doing over there with the fires, I see we have some of our boys heading over to give your boys a chop out. Stay safe
Canadian Forces troops from Edmonton are on the ground helping out, and quite likely troops from here in Shilo will be headed west in the next few days (if they haven't already). Hopefully they get some heavy rain up there soon.
We have lost two aircraft so far this year. One in Northern BC and one in either Northwest Territories or Nunavit. A lot of the fires are caused by dry lightning strikes but far too many are caused by assholes flicking cigarette buts out their car windows. I just can't get over peoples absolute stupidity. And this comming from an occassional smoker. I don't recall a time where we have asked our military to help out but we know it is bad when we do this. We are proud of our military, small as it is, but especially when they are acting as an aid to civilian authority. They really rock. BC has asked for a lot of help from New Zealand and Australia. I really don't know why there is not more cooperation this way seeing as our fire seasons are opposite eacb other. I'm sure if it was left up to the firefighters, it would be done a lot quicker but we have to involve government that slows things up.
Looks a bad beginning to the fire season in Canada this year, hopefully the weather changes sooner than later. Latest headlines indicate 102 fire fighting specialists on the way, it's good that help works both ways. http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2015-...ad-to-canada-to-help-battle-bushfires/6616966