A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Natural Resources Canada and the United States of America’s Departments of Agriculture and the Interior to strengthen its response to wildfire emergencies.
The newly-signed deal was inked by Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, and United States Ambassador to Canada, David Cohen.
The MOU sets out procedures for the exchange of wildland fire management resources and establishes a framework that encourages mutual assistance and cooperation.
Under the arrangement, both countries acknowledge the benefits of continuing to work collectively across their borders through shared values.
As of the latest data published by Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Inc., there are currently 446 active fires, 238 of them being out of control (red), 70 of them being held (green), and 138 are under control (yellow).
From this, a total area of 6.9 million hectares has already been burned.
And separate from the MOU, on June 16, 2023, the U.S. announced that it would provide technological support to Canada this year through its fireguard program to assist in the identification of emerging wildland fires.
It can be noted that since the 2023 Canada wildfires started at the beginning of March, more than 100,000 residents across the country have already been forced out of their homes.
