6 Aug 2018

NZ firefighters dispatched to battle raging Canadian wildfires

11:49 am on 6 August 2018

A second group of New Zealand firefighters is heading overseas to help combat a growing number of wildfires in Canada.

An inmate firefighter pauses during a firing operation as the Carr fire continues to burn.

A group of New Zealanders have already been sent to help put out California fires. Photo: AFP

Sixty-five firefighters and crew leave for Vancouver tonight to help fight the 450 wildfires burning in British Columbia.

Last week, 36 firefighters went to the United States to help with fires in California.

Fire and Emergency rural national manager Kevin O'Connor said New Zealand had agreements with Mexico, the United States, Canada and Australia to help in circumstances like these.

New Zealand could probably afford to send another 50 personnel before the local workforce would be put under pressure, Mr O'Connor said.

The crews going to Canada would get one rest day after arriving, before getting started, he said.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs