Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ready to help ‘American neighbours’ to douse Los Angeles wildfires despite attacks by Donald Trump

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has offered help to “our American neighbours” in the wake of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, despite repeated attacks by US President-elect Donald Trump, including a threat to make Canada the “51st American state”.

In a tweet on Thursday morning, Trudeau, who announced his decision to resign as Prime Minister and leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party on Monday, said his country was no stranger to wildfires, adding that “California’s been there to help our Canadian firefighters out time and time again”.

In 2023, Canada witnessed record-breaking wildfires, which affected all the country’s 13 provinces and territories.

A total of 6,551 fires burned 184,961 square kilometres, or about 5 per cent of the entire forest area of Canada. At least eight firefighters were killed, and over 232,000 people were displaced.

“Canadian water bombers are already in action on the front lines. We stand ready to provide more resources to our American neighbours,” he added.

As of Thursday, six out-of-control wildfires are raging in Los Angeles and neighbouring Ventura County, leaving a trail of destruction. At least five people have died so far, with nearly 140,000 others forced to evacuate from their homes.

The sixth blaze, dubbed the Sunset fire, erupted on Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, home to the iconic Hollywood sign.

Besides the Hollywood sign, the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscar Awards ceremony is held annually, is also being threatened by the Sunset fire. Other Los Angeles landmarks, including the Hollywood Bowl outdoor amphitheatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, are also in the line of danger.

The Palisades Fire, which was the first to erupt on Tuesday, has been named as the most destructive in Los Angeles’s history.

Meanwhile, Trudeau’s offer to help tackle the Los Angeles wildfires came a day after Trump, who is set to return to the White House on January 20, threatened that he might use “economic force” to make Canada the 51st American state.

Trump had been floating the merger idea ever since he met Trudeau after winning the November 5, 2024 election. He has also mentioned this in several social media posts and, in some, also referred to the Prime Minister as “Governor Trudeau”.

When asked by reporters a press conference on Tuesday if he would use military action to fulfil his idea of absorbing Canada into the US, Trump said, “No, economic force. Because Canada and the US, that would really be something.”

In November last year, the incoming American President announced that he planned to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods upon taking office unless both nations address the flow of migrants and drugs into the US.