Quebec's forest fire protection agency is preparing to send four water bombers to Alberta, to help fight the wildfires raging in Fort McMurray.

The agency, known by its French acronym SOPFEU, confirmed the deployment following a conference call with its counterparts across Canada this afternoon.

Because flights to and from Fort McMurray are grounded, the planes will be forced to land in Slave Lake, Alta., about 435 kilometres southwest of Fort McMurray. ​

Gérard Lacasse, SOPFEU's information coordinator, said until the bombers are in the air, the request could always change or be cancelled.

He said two crew members will deploy with each plane, along with one mechanic for the whole group.

Unlike Alberta water bombers, which use water mixed with flame retardant and are filled up at airports, Quebec water bombers scoop up their water from lakes, according to Lacasse.

But Éloïse Richard, spokesperson for SOPFEU, said the Quebec teams are prepared to work under different conditions in Alberta.

"Each year we do some exchanges to help other provinces, and the other provinces come here to help us," said Richard.

'Cataclysmic situation'

Earlier Wednesday, Premier Philippe Couillard said provincial officials have been in discussions with their Alberta counterparts to find how else they can help.

"Our thoughts go to the people in Fort McMurray. It's a cataclysmic situation," Couillard said.

"Of course, we will supply all that is needed, whether it's human resources, airplanes, whatever is needed, we will provide."

Red Cross seeks donations

The Quebec branch of the Canadian Red Cross is also in discussions to decide how the agency will assist.

"We are...making sure our volunteers are ready to be deployed," said Donny Straub, deputy director for disaster management for the Quebec branch of the Red Cross. "Our volunteers are trained to do shelter management and to offer Red Cross services, whether it be clothing, whether it be supplying food."

The Red Cross has also set up a special donation page on its website.

Largest fire-related evac ever in AB, +29,000 forced to leave. You can help: <a href="https://t.co/xa0TIyfAy8">https://t.co/xa0TIyfAy8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ABFire?src=hash">#ABFire</a> <a href="https://t.co/ESmqYk6wNA">pic.twitter.com/ESmqYk6wNA</a> —@redcrosscanada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians from coast to coast are responding to the Alberta government's call for help.

"I really do want to highlight that Canada is a country where we look out for our neighbours, and we are there for each other in difficult times. And certainly in Fort McMurray, the difficult times they are going through right now is something that we are going to unite around," Trudeau said in opening remarks to his Liberal caucus Wednesday morning on Parliament Hill.

From 2 to 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, local programming on CBC Radio One will be pre-empted by a special Calgary call-in show, which will be broadcast live across the network.