NSW RFS teams respond to Canada’s call for firefighting support
A deployment of 54 NSW firefighting specialists depart Sydney on Monday June 9 to support Canadian authorities battling more than 200 wildfires across the country, which have already burned over 2.3 million hectares.
NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) members from Belrose are among the 54 NSW specialists deployed to Canada to assist with the ongoing wildfires.
The NSW personnel will join a 96-strong Australian contingent, following a formal request for assistance from Canada’s Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The deployment is being coordinated by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council’s (AFAC) National Resource Sharing Centre.
The NSW team includes 36 members from the NSW Rural Fire Service, 16 from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and two from Forestry Corporation NSW. The deployment includes incident management specialists and frontline firefighters, all with significant experience responding to complex fire conditions both in Australia and overseas.
The first contingent arrived in Canada on June 13.
This deployment reinforces the strong international partnerships that exist between fire agencies, and the global recognition of the expertise within Australia’s firefighting ranks.
On Thursday June 26 an additional 18 RFS personnel were deployed to Alberta, Canada to help local firefighters battling over 290 wildfires. Over 100 of which still remain out of control.
With fires having already burnt through 4.1 million hectares, this new contingent of firefighters will join 94 Australian personnel currently aiding the firefighting efforts across Canada. They were farewelled at the airport by Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington.
Eight skilled firefighters from South Australia are also deploying to Canada, to help battle remote wildfires in Alberta.
The 8-member deployment departed Adelaide on Thursday, June 26, as part of a larger 103-member Australian contingent supporting the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre - the lead agency for the Alberta wildfires.
The South Australian group includes a Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteer and staff member, along with personnel from the SA National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) brigade (four staff from the Department for Environment and Water, and two from Landscape Boards).
CFS Regional Officer Peter Ikonomopoulos, of Port Augusta, is travelling to Canada as Australia's agency representative for this deployment, his second to Canada.
The remainder of the contingent, listed below, will be operating as arduous firefighters and have been specifically chosen for their experience and fitness levels:
- Tony Pratt, Aldgate CFS
- Luke Ashworth, NPWS Brigade
- Joseph Gallasch, NPWS Brigade
- Paul Gillen, NPWS Brigade
- Nathan Moore, NPWS Brigade
- Renata Rix, NPWS Brigade
- Brett Backhouse, NPWS Brigade
Canada's wildfire season started early due to a hot, dry spring which has significantly escalated fire risk.
Currently, approximately 50 wildfires are active in Alberta, mostly in hard-to-access forested areas.
Fighting these fires involves on-foot crews, heavy machinery for containment, and significant aircraft support for suppression and transport.
This deployment is expected to last for up to 40 days.
Executive Director Operations Brenton Hastie said:
"We are proud that South Australian firefighters are again supporting Canada in its time of need."
"South Australia benefits from these deployments as our firefighters gain invaluable skills that they can then utilise during our own Fire Danger Season."
"Canada's early fire season echoes concern we hold for the upcoming South Australian summer, providing insight into what we may face during the 2025/26 Fire Danger Season due to current soil and vegetation dryness."
South Australia is currently in drought. The BOM, in its June 5 2025 Drought Statement said the Southern Annual Mode (SAM) has been positive for most of 2025. This has resulted in high pressure systems being further south than usual for this time of year across the southern hemisphere.
Persistent low rainfall conditions have affected much of southern Australia in recent seasons. Since early 2023, rainfall deficiencies (rainfall totals in the lowest 5% since 1900) have developed in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
Rainfall deficiencies have been especially significant in regions with western-facing coastlines, including the south-east of South Australia. During this time, soil moisture content, runoff, streamflow and water storage levels have all decreased across much of southern Australia.
Regional Officer Outback Areas Peter Ikonomopoulos said:
"I am immensely proud to represent the CFS, South Australia and the nation on this deployment to Canada."
"Primarily, my role is to ensure our Australian firefighters in Alberta are well looked after and able to support our Canadian colleagues to the best of their abilities. I look forward to our team showcasing the very best of Australia's firefighting and incident management expertise."
SA Minister for Emergency Services Emily Bourke stated:
"South Australia has a proud history of helping communities in need, at home and abroad. Our skilled firefighters answered the Canadian call during their wildfires last year and are again stepping up to assist."
"Thank you to this dedicated group of South Australians who are pausing their own lives and to their families for their understanding and support."
Canadian Fires Current as of: June 25, 2025
Current active fires
Uncontrolled Being Held Controlled Modified Response
64 25 78 29
The ongoing 2025 Canadian wildfire season began with over 160 wildfires active across the country in mid-May 2025 primarily in Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Two people have died in the town of Lac du Bonnet located northeast of Winnipeg.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“Our thoughts are with the people of Canada and the communities affected by these devastating fires.”
“Here in NSW, we understand the destructive power of bush and forest fires, and we stand ready to support our Canadian colleagues in their time of need.”
“I’d like to thank all personnel involved in this deployment and wish them well. We look forward to their safe return.”
Commissioner of the RFS Rob Rogers said:
“NSW has a long and proud tradition of supporting international firefighting efforts, including previous deployments to Canada over the past two decades.”
“Our 737 Large Air Tanker, Marie Bashir, is already in California providing assistance. This contingent, along with the LAT, demonstrates the depth of capability we can offer, not just on the ground but also in the air, to assist international partners during their times of need.”
Arriving in the USA earlier this month the RFS 737 Large Air Tanker the Marie Bashir is continuing operations alongside CAL FIRE, with the aircraft so far conducting 11 missions and dropping over 151,000 litres of retardant.
On June 19, it completed 5 missions that dropped over 69,000 litres of retardant. As fire activity increases in California, the 737 will continue to assist local firefighters until mid-July, before returning to Sydney for the start of our season.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) serves and safeguards the people and protects the property and resources of California.
Record heatwave temperatures are persisting across America and Canada as we go to press, with dozens of people hospitalised.
June 19 2025 photo by: 📸@Csmeadphotography