Canadian Firefighters To Give Up Their Christmas Holidays To Help Australia With Bush Fires

Firefighters in Australia are struggling with dousing the bush fires that have been going on for weeks now. In a heartwarming gesture of commardrie, Canadian firefighters are giving up Christmas at home, to fly out to Australia and help tackle the bush fire crisis.

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, based in Winnipeg, is answering Australia's call to help them with the dangerous bush fire season. Experienced firefighters from across Canada have volunteered to forgo their holidays and battle the fires along with Australian firefighters.

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21 firefighters are going to Sydney for what is expected to be a 38-day deployment. The firefighters were selected for their unique skill set.

Brian Pallister of the Canadian province of Manitoba said, ¡°We are pleased to help the people of Australia as they face these devastating fires, especially since Manitoba has been on the receiving end of help from friends and neighbours when wildfires and other natural disasters hit our province.¡±

Manitoba is sending two firefighters, with British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Parks Canada contributing 19 others. Australian in southern hemisphere is burning while Canada is heading into winter. The Canadian firefighters will be assisting with a variety of roles within the incident management team, including planning, aviation and operations.

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An emergency alert was in place for the 30,000-hectare Currowan bush fire near Batemans Bay on the state's south coast, on Tuesday. Another emergency alert was issued later that night for a bush fire burning near the northwestern outskirts of Sydney.

The Rural Fire Service said on Tuesday, ¡°Fire is spotting ahead of the main fire front due to strong winds from the west.¡± The statement also said, ¡°The fire has reached the coast in some areas. Firefighters and aircraft are working to protect homes where possible.¡±

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For the residents in the Kioloa, Pretty Beach, Pebbly Beach, Depot Beach and Durras North areas, its too late to leave, hence they have been asked to take shelter.

The air quality is a part of Australia's suffering, with it being classified as hazardous. And there is still time before the fires are completely brought under control.

It is really a beautiful gesture on the part of the Canadian firefighters who are forsaking their holidays and their hometown, to help Australian firefighters with the bush fires. Here's hoping they all come back home safe and sound.