Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adam Hodge on Assisting Canada in Responding to Wildfires

In order to do everything possible to reduce the degradation of air quality in American communities caused by smoke from wildfires burning in Canada, President Biden directed the Department of Defense to provide technology support that enables Canada to more rapidly identify and suppress new fires. This technology can provide early warning of emerging wildfires in remote wilderness areas so that the fires can be stopped before they spread and burn out of control.

Starting today, DOD personnel will analyze and share real time data derived from U.S. satellites and sensors and convey it via a cooperative agreement between the U.S. National Interagency Fire Center and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.  This initiative is built upon on the Pentagon’s innovative FireGuard program that the Biden Administration first deployed to support U.S. wildland fire detection and suppression in 2021 and 2022 and which has already proven very effective in the U.S. homeland.  

The Biden Administration is also deploying additional U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), USDA Forest Service (USFS), and state wildland firefighting personnel and equipment, including airtankers and smokejumpers, to assist with ongoing wildfire suppression efforts in Canada.

In the weeks ahead, the United States will continue to closely coordinate with the Government of Canada on the ongoing response to the historic wildfires burning in Canada.

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