Two firefighters have been killed after their helicopters collided while battling a wildfire west of Athens, as crews across Europe and North America confront one of the northern hemisphere's busiest wildfire seasons. Australia is now joining that international response, sending aircraft and specialist crews to France while continuing to assist firefighting efforts across North America.
Listen to Australian and world news and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
Fires are spreading across Europe and North America, with deadly consequences.
While Greece remains Europe's most active fireground, France has contained its largest wildfire in decades, and in Washington State, fires have destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.
Australia is lending specialist crew and equipment to help the effort, deploying a Chinook helicopter, a reconnaissance aircraft and 25 specialist personnel to France.
It is the first time New South Wales Rural Fire Service aircraft have been sent to Europe.
Australian firefighters are already assisting in the United States, with another deployment expected to Canada.
New South Wales RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin tells Channel Nine it is the nation's most extensive global deployment.
"If we get this aircraft on the ground in France, we'll be operating in four countries over three continents simultaneously."
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain says France needs the help and Australia is happy to assist.
"We work really closely with a range of our international partners in emergency management. We received a request for support from France earlier this week. What they're after is a Chinook helicopter and a reconnaissance plane, which will assist. It has capability to continue to fight fires during night time operations as well. So we'll be sending those two aircraft later today, along with 25 personnel."
Ms McBain says that when Australia experienced its Black Summer bushfires, France came to help, and Australia did not hesitate.
The need is widespread.
"We've got a Canadian deployment happening later in the week as well, so we do have assets and personnel in the US, in Canada, and in France shortly."
While Australian crews prepare to deploy, Greece remains at the centre of Europe's wildfire emergency.
Strong winds continue pushing flames through forests west of Athens towards coastal communities.
Hundreds of residents have been evacuated by sea after roads were cut off by smoke and fire, while aircraft overhead continue trying to slow the blaze.
It was during one of those aerial operations that two firefighting helicopters collided, killing two crew members.
Volunteer firefighter Nikos Pagiotellis tells SBS Greek he was working nearby when he heard the news over his radio.
He says the shock was immediate, but crews knew they had to keep going.
"We were inside the forest, using all our forces to help the people with the houses near Villa and Porto Germeno. When the two helicopters collided, we heard it on the radio. ... You can understand that something really hurts inside you because your colleagues... had a bad moment that led to the death of two of them. You freeze for a little bit... and then you just continue your work. You continue and help people to honour the lives of the lost two comrades."
France's biggest wildfire in decades has now been contained, but more than 1,500 firefighters remain on the ground, guarding against flare-ups after the blaze burned an area about six times the size of Paris.
On the US west coast, across Washington State, hundreds of homes and businesses have been destroyed, with thousands forced to evacuate as more than a quarter of a million acres burn across 15 major fires.
Washington Commissioner of Public Lands, Dave Upthegrove, says it's an extraordinary wildfire season
"We have more than 900 individuals among the different agencies battling the Spokane Complex fires. It's worth noting that this is one of 15 major fires burning throughout the state of Washington right now. More than 250,000 acres are on fire in this state. This is an extraordinary wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest. It's not a normal season."
From Greece to France and the U-S, firefighters are confronting many of the same challenges: prolonged heat, dry vegetation, strong winds and fast-moving fires.
Fires are becoming a growing global challenge and Australia is uniquely positioned to assist; with aircraft, specialist crews and expertise to deploy to help wherever they're needed.
And as wildfires spread across continents around the globe, so too do Australia's well-seasoned firefighters.
