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QUEBEC — Four water bombers from Quebec’s forest fire protection agency, SOPFEU, left Quebec Thursday morning to help tackle the wildfire burning around Fort McMurray.

The planes, with eight pilots and four mechanics on board, are expected to arrive in Alberta Thursday evening, said SOPFEU spokesperson Éloise Richard.

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On Wednesday, Premier Philippe Couillard vowed to help Alberta by supplying planes, firefighters and other manpower.

“Of course we’re all touched by what’s happening in Alberta, our thoughts go to the families — 80,000 being evacuated in Fort McMurray, it’s a cataclysmic situation. Obviously my office is in contact with Mrs. (Premier Rachel) Notley’s office,” Couillard said.

“Whatever is needed, we’ll provide. They are fellow Canadians, we want to be there with them.”

Lac-Mégantic residents are coming together to raise funds for the residents of Fort McMurray. In July 2013, that town was devastated by a train explosion. Now, both the town’s mayor, Jean-Guy Cloutier, and the region’s MP, Luc Berthold, are encouraging citizens to donate to the relief efforts, saying the disaster at Fort McMurray brings back memories of the 2013 event that saw a train derail and set fire to much of the downtown area. In that case, however, 47 people died in the disaster.