Three more staff members from Saskatchewan have been sent to help battle bushfires in Australia.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) announced on Monday the trio will relieve those from the province that deployed at the start of December as part of a contingent co-ordinated by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
The original group has helped manage wildfires around Glen Innes, Grafton, Casino and Kempsey in the northeastern part of New South Wales.
A total of 11 firefighters from SPSA have been deployed since a severe and early fire season led to fatalities, property loss and the destruction of large areas in eastern Australia.
“Australia is in dire need of help and the (SPSA) is more than willing to answer that call,” SPSA president Marlo Pritchard said in a press release.
“As a province well versed in evacuations and fighting wildfires, the province of Saskatchewan sends not only its assistance but also its heartfelt condolences to those affected by this tragedy.”
This is the third Saskatchewan deployment of firefighters to Australia under the exchange of wildland fire management resources agreement, according to SPSA.
The three wildland fire management specialists sent this past weekend are expected to be deployed for 38 days.