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Canadian firefighters give up Christmas with families to fight Aussie bushfires

Australian Associated Press
Updated

Firefighters from provinces across Canada have volunteered to give up Christmas with their families and fly to Australia to help with the bushfire crisis.

The crack team has answered Australia's call for help during what's expected to be a dangerous bushfire season.

Australian officials submitted an official request to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, based in Winnipeg, on Friday and on the weekend, dozens of experienced firefighters from provinces across Canada volunteered to give up Christmas with their families and fly to Australia.

RFS volunteers and NSW Fire and Rescue officers fight a bushfire encroaching on properties near Termeil on the Princes Highway between Bateman’s Bay and Ulladulla south of Sydney,Tuesday, December, 3, 2019. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING
RFS volunteers and NSW Fire and Rescue officers fight a bushfire encroaching on properties near Termeil between Bateman's Bay and Ulladulla on Tuesday. Source: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

A group of 21 firefighters was selected and will gather in Vancouver on Tuesday before flying to Sydney for an expected 38-day deployment.

"We are pleased to help the people of Australia as they face these devastating fires, especially since Manitoba has been on the receiving end of help from friends and neighbours when wildfires and other natural disasters hit our province," premier of the Canadian province of Manitoba, Brian Pallister, said.

Manitoba is sending two firefighters with British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Parks Canada contributing 19 others.

Canadian police and firefighters survey the damage after a fatal fire at a seniors residence in L'Isle-Verte, Quebec, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014. The fire raged through the seniors' residence, killing at least three people and leaving about 30 unaccounted for. The massive fire in the 52-unit complex broke out around 12:30 a.m. in L'Isle-Verte, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northeast of Quebec City. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jacques Boissinot)
Canadian firefighters (pictured) will give up Christmas with their families to help Australian firefighters cope with NSW's devastating blazes. Source: AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jacques Boissinot

Strong bonds between Manitoba and Australia were built in the most unfortunate circumstances in July and August.

Canadian teenagers Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky shot dead Australian tourist Lucas Fowler and his girlfriend Chynna Deese on the side of a British Columbia highway and then fled to Manitoba, sparking a massive manhunt involving the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian military.

"There's nothing more Manitoban than offering a helping hand when someone else is in need," Mr Pallister said.

As Australia burns, Canada is heading into winter where temperatures will drop below 20 degrees Celsius.

RFS, NSW Fire and Rescue, NPWS officers and local residents fight a bushfire encroaching on properties near Termeil on the Princes Highway between Bateman’s Bay and Ulladulla south of Sydney,Tuesday, December, 3, 2019. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING
Firies fight to keep a blaze burning south of Sydney near Termeil at bay on Tuesday evening. Source: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The assigned firefighters were selected for their unique skill sets.

The Canadians will assist with a variety of roles within the incident management team, including planning, aviation and operations.

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