Fort McMurray fire: No B.C. help on the way

The B.C. Wildfire Service says it does not have enough people to help Alberta fight the wildfire raging near Fort McMurray that has led to a mandatory evacuation order.

The evacuation order is the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta's history, with tens of thousands fleeing Fort McMurray and surrounding areas. 

The mandatory evacuation order is the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta's history.

• LIVE BLOG | Breaking updates on the Fort McMurray wildfire

But according to Ryan Turcot, B.C.'s fire information officer, this province is fighting its own forest fires and requests for aid usually go to provinces and territories that have lower levels of fire activity.

"Given the current level of fire activity in B.C., and in order to maintain resources here, B.C. was unable to lend crews at this time."

There are currently 48 fires burning and 4 evacuation alerts in effect in this province, Turcot said Tuesday.

He added requests for aid in the future will be considered.

A spokesperson for the provincial Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources confirmed  Alberta made a request for aid to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) Tuesday morning.

Helicopter heading to Alberta

Although B.C. officials are unable to help Alberta at this time, a B.C. company is contracting one of their helicopters to aid in the firefighting efforts near Fort McMurray.

Coulson Flying Tankers, based in Port Alberni, has rented out a Sikorski S-61 to the Alberta government, according to CEO Wayne Coulson.

The helicopter is well-equipped to battle blazes, he said.

"We pack 18 passengers in the aircraft. We can carry people, we can transport firefighters back and forth," he said.

He said the aircraft is also equipped with a 200-foot long line and bucket that can carry 1,000 gallons of water.