Manitoba's CFB Shilo sending troops to help with Alberta wildfires

Troops from southwestern Manitoba's CFB Shilo are on their way to help manage a massive wildfire that has consumed the heart of Jasper National Park in Alberta. 

A 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry company contingent of around 80-90 troops left Friday morning. They're headed to the Jasper area after the Canadian Forces received a request for assistance from the province of Alberta Wednesday asking for help managing the ongoing wildfires.

"What's happening out there is a tragedy for the Canadians involved and we as part of the military we're here to support," said Maj. Devin Kruk. "Our soldiers are well-trained and ready to go no matter what the situation is. We're prepared to handle whatever task may come."

This will be the first fire deployment for the batallion this year. Kruk is not sure of the exact location the troops are being deployed to but says it is likely in the vicinity of Jasper.

A fire, described as a monster for its size and intensity, levelled entire neighbourhoods in the Jasper townsite Wednesday evening. Alberta government officials said Thursday preliminary estimates suggest 30 to 50 per cent of the town's structures may have burned.

In all, the blaze has burned an estimated 36,000 hectares but mapping the perimeter remains challenging due to strong winds, extreme fire behaviour, heavy cloud and smoke.

The fire's behaviour is expected to temporarily calm as wet weather is expected in the mountain park this weekend. 

The troops will be supporting the unified command along with federal, provincial and local authorities as best they can, Kruk said. When the Forces respond to a crisis like a wildfire, it is known as Operation Lentus, and its role is to help ensure the safety of Canadians.

Provincial and territorial authorities respond first when a major natural disaster occurs in Canada, said a Forces spokesperson. If an emergency requires more resources available in a province, they can ask the federal government for help — including from the Canadian military.

"We've been pre-positioning and preparing forces to move out," Kruk said, adding another group left Thursday morning, "to get eyes on the ground."

Troops remaining in Manitoba were ready to roll once the call came Alberta was ready for them.

Pte. Sebastian Klassen says he joined the military to help his fellow Canadians. He moved to Shilo in March and just finished his infantry training. 

Klassen found out Thursday night he was headed to Alberta. It will be the first time he's ever been part of Operation Lentus and his first military deployment.

There's "a little bit of nervous excitement," going, Klassen said, because "they're going to go fight forest fires." 

When he first arrived with the battalion one of the first courses he took was on fighting forest fires.

Klassen said he's not sure how long his company will be in Alberta. 

The military is working closely with local, provincial and federal partners to tailor their efforts to the specific needs of the provincially-led response, said a spokesperson.

"We will support the unified command in whatever capacity they need us to support," Kruk said.