Vermont will send two firefighters to Quebec on Saturday to fight wildfires ranging in Canada.
State Forest Fire Supervisor Dan Dillner says Vermont firefighters under the Northeast Forest Fire Compact — an interstate agreement that calls for the sharing of fire resources — are volunteers. The state doesn't have large-scale fire fighting infrastructure like water planes.
“Just we're doing our best try to help our neighbors," Dillner said. "We're just a really small, small program. And so it's just it's difficult to to be able to do that ever. We really want to. We know if Vermont's had need, Quebec would be some of the first to help us.”
In a previous interview, Dillner had not expected Vermont to send any firefighters due to lack of availability.
Vermont had issued an air quality warning due to the smoke earlier this week, but as of Friday morning, the air quality was considered "good" at monitoring stations in Bennington, Rutland, Underhill and Burlington.
In Quebec, the wildfire season has forced thousands from their homes and left other communities in high alert, according to the Montreal Gazette. Officials say it’s the worst wildfire season on record.
Northern Quebec is being hit hardest, with more than 11,000 people forced from their homes. Relief is not expected until rainfall comes next week.
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