Australia is joining the fight against dozens of out-of-control forest fires threatening communities across western Canada.
The country is facing some of its worst fires in years in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Next week 95 firefighters and emergency service will fly from Sydney to meet seven officers already in Vancouver before being deployed to key affected areas.
A dozen firies left Perth on Sunday to be part of the 106-strong Australian contingent based in British Columbia and Alberta until August 19. On Saturday local time, there were 452 forest fires burning in western Canada covering nearly 1.3 million hectares.
Hundreds of new fires are starting on a daily basis.
Multiple properties have been destroyed near Puntzi Lake in central British Columbia but there are no other reports of homes lost.
More than 13,000 people were evacuated from their homes in northern Saskatchewan earlier this week, along with about 1000 tourists from Jasper National Park in Alberta.
Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said the Australian crew would assist the firefighting efforts for about six weeks.
Australia and Canada have an agreement to share firefighting resources, with crews from both countries assisting each other during serious fires.
"We are proud of the relationship Australia has built with Canada over the past 15 years, and the support we can provide during their time of need," Mr Lapsley said.
New Zealand has also sent 16 firefighters to assist.
Share
