The Coast Guard is one of a number of agencies lending a hand in forest fire response in recent days.

The Coast Guard has a number of helicopters normally tasked to shipboard work, and accessing remote locations, but can be realigned to emergency response.

Superintendent of the Canadian Coast Guard’s Atlantic Regional Operations Centre in St. John’s, Paul Veber says, as a result, they’re providing two helicopters to do whatever is needed.

He says the helicopters are available for whatever purpose the provincial emergency operation centre requires. That includes transporting groceries and provisions, personnel and slinging operations. They cannot however assist with firefighting.