News & Information

Victorian Firefighter Aid Continues in the USA

Thursday 7 August 2008

Nine Victorian firefighters continue to lend their support to the USA with Northern California fires persisting, and a new large fire in Montana starting.

Over 1,000 fires were started in late June as a result of more than 8,000 lightning strikes from a dry thunderstorm storm event.

Chief Fire Officer, Ewan Waller said that a helicopter accident had occurred yesterday which did not involve any Australian or New Zealand firefighters.

“None of our firefighters were directly involved in yesterday’s accident and I offer my condolences to the USA fire teams and their families,” Mr Waller said.

Mr Waller said that Victorian firefighters are demonstrating their leadership and management skills to assist our colleagues in the USA and the Victorian team is highly regarded.

“The Victorian firefighters are performing really well and their presence has created a lot of local media interest.

“The USA fire managers have heaped praise at their outstanding organisational skills and the rapport they are building with the USA crews, including the renowned ‘Hot Shots’ crews.

“Major challenges have been heavy smoke and working in extremely remote, steep and dry terrain.

“The firefighters are expanding their knowledge of forest firefighting techniques which they will be able to bring back and apply at home,” Mr Waller said.

The Victorians are part of a 44 person Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) contingent of fire specialists and managers, assisting with fire suppression operations in California.

The ANZ deployment involves cooperation between a total of 20 organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

The Victorian firefighters are filling middle level supervision roles that are in critical short supply.

The firefighters’ daily tasks include directing large numbers of crews and dozens of aircraft on the fire line.

Most are located in the operational centre of Redding, Northern California, with other firefighters spread across different fire complexes – Bear Wallow, Iron/Alps Lime and the Siskiyou Complex.

Safety is a major consideration for the deployment. A rest break in the Giant Redwoods, California, has been scheduled before the first contingent begins another 16 day fire shift.

Hot dry winds are persisting with some storm activity is expected in the Washington area this week.

Families and friends of the deployed firefighters have been keeping in touch through newsletters and messages home via an online service.

Source: Department of Sustainability & Environment