Tasmanians to help fight Canadian wildfires

Tasmania will join a national effort to help Canada fight the hundreds of wildfires that are burning in the country’s west.

Four highly skilled firefighters – two from the Tasmania Fire Service and two from the Parks and Wildlife Service – will fly out on Monday as members of a 106-strong Australian firefighting contingent.

While Tasmanians are rugged up for winter, Canada is experiencing a dry, hot summer, which has resulted in numerous wildfires breaking out and burning across much of the country.

More than 13,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in northern Saskatchewan.

The escalating situation is overwhelming the capabilities of local firefighters, and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre requested help from Australia.

Not for the first time, Tasmania has joined other states in responding to the call, with four local firefighters to take their skills and experience to Canada.

Our firefighters will give local crews some much-needed respite, while also imparting their knowledge on tackling such severe wildfires.

We expect they will be working either in Edmonton, Alberta or Chilliwack, British Columbia and will be deployed for about six weeks.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management