Trudeau turns down international assistance to fight Fort McMurray fire

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has turned down international assistance from the U.S., Russia, Australia, Mexico, Taiwan, Israel, and Palestine in fighting the massive wildfires currently scorching northern Alberta.

Last week, Vladimir Puchkov, the Russian minister of emergency measures, offered to send heavy water bombers and specialized crews to battle a blaze that’s been raging out of control near the oil city of Fort McMurray, but the Liberal leader insisted international support isn't necessary at this time. While the gesture is appreciated, Trudeau said first responders from other provinces, including Ontario, B.C., Quebec and New Brunswick, are getting a handle on the situation.

According to the Alberta government, as of Sunday, more than 500 firefighters were on the ground battling the fire, along with 15 helicopters, 14 air tankers, and 88 other pieces of equipment. The wildfire in Fort McMurray now spans more than 160,000 hectares, and while the blaze slowed under a brief spat of rain over the weekend, experts say it will take months to completely extinguish.

Return to Fort McMurray

Police returned to the smouldering city on Saturday, and as reported by The Globe and Mail, found six people still stuck there, unable to escape during mass evacuations. They have now been brought to safety. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley followed on Monday with a bus of reporters, who are publishing pictures of the damage via social media.

All 25,000 evacuees stranded north of Fort McMurray have been successfully brought moved south, while 300 people from Fort McKay were evacuated to the Edmonton area by air and ground due to heavy smoke billowing throughout the region. Roughly 1,500 local Syncrude employees were also evacuated over the weekend, in addition to staff from Suncor, Husky, Shell and CNRL facilities.

More than 200 ATCO employees remain in Fort McMurray to restore the power grid and assess the gas infrastructure. Canadian Red Cross donations to relieve victims of the tragedy have now exceeded $54 million — a sum the federal and Alberta government will match.

Skyrocketing donations

"I want to thank Canadians for their extraordinary generosity in supporting the people of Fort McMurray," Trudeau tweeted Monday. "This is our country at its best."

The federal government will continue to match donations without a cap until May 31. The Atlantic provinces have also donated a collective $250,000 to the cause — $75,000 each from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick, and $25,000 from Prince Edward Island.

Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the oil sands, $500,000 as well.

Fire conditions remain extreme throughout Alberta with a total of 34 wildfires currently burning. Five are reported out of control, with 23 under control and six turned over to the responsible local authorities. More than 1,500 firefighters, approximately 150 helicopters, 222 pieces of heavy equipment and more than 28 air tankers have been allocated to tackling blazes across Alberta.

- With files from Canadian Press