01/08/2026
NSW RFS personnel deployed to support wildfire operations in the US, Canada and France. π¦πΊπΊπΈπ¨π¦π«π·
Specialist NSW RFS incident management personnel, including a firefighter from Hawkesbury District, are currently deployed to the United States assisting with the ongoing wildfire response.
One of our deployed firefighters is working as a Field Safety Officer on the Second Flat Fire, based near the town of Burns in Oregonβs high desert. The fire is burning across more than 100,000 acres of grassland and rangeland, with crews working to protect the town of Burns and surrounding communities.
Conditions are demanding. The fire behaves fast and aggressively in fine, continuous grassland fuels, with sharp wind changes around mid-afternoon driving rapid runs. Crews are working long days on a 14-3-14 rotation, operating out of a large basecamp supporting more than 700 personnel.
Our firefighter has described the welcome from US colleagues as second to none, with a strong team culture that mirrors what we value here at home.
This week, a further NSW RFS contingent, including an Incident Management specialist from Hawkesbury District, will deploy to Canada to assist with serious fire conditions there. An Aviation Specialist from Hawkesbury District will also deploy to France to support operations underway there.
These deployments reflect the strength of the international mutual aid relationships the NSW RFS maintains, and the willingness of our members to step up when other communities need help.
We wish all our deployed personnel, and our US, Canadian and French colleagues, a safe and successful season.