BC Wildfire Service staff welcomed home from Australia
Press Release
March 1, 2026
VICTORIA
Summary
- BC Wildfire Service staff returned on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, after being deployed since late January
- Thirty-seven people went to the Australian state of Victoria to support wildfire-fighting efforts
- Crews helped manage the ongoing fire situation, provided relief for those already on the ground
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) staff have returned to B.C. after supporting Forest Fire Management Victoria in Australia for the past month with wildfire-fighting efforts.
“Our world-class BC Wildfire Service has once again stepped up on the global stage,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “As we prepare for the 2026 wildfire season, our BCWS crews consistently demonstrate exceptional skills, courage and professionalism wherever they’re called to serve.”
BCWS deployment
On Jan. 25, 2026, BCWS deployed 37 people to the state of Victoria to help respond to the Walwa River Road fire and provide support in the Tallangatta Incident Control Centre. The team consisted of a 15-person incident management team, a 20-person fire crew and two agency representatives.
The incident management team and agency representatives supported incident command, safety, information, operations, air operations, planning and logistics. The fire crew worked alongside personnel from Australia and New Zealand on hazardous tree assessment and removal, chainsaw work and mop-up using hand tools.
Preparing for the upcoming wildfire season
Ahead of this year’s wildfire season, B.C. continues work to keep people and communities safe by focusing on all four pillars of emergency management:
- prevention
- preparedness
- response
- recovery
In April, First Nations bootcamps will begin in several fire centres, along with new-recruit bootcamps in Merritt.
Quick Facts:
- Australia requested B.C.’s support through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC).
- A total of 74 people from B.C. and Alberta were deployed.
- In 2024, Australia deployed crews to support wildfire response efforts in B.C.
- During 2025, BCWS deployed more personnel and equipment throughout Canada than any season prior, supporting Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and, for the first time, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Learn More:
- To learn more about working for the BC Wildfire Service, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/WildfireFighters
- To learn more about the First Nations bootcamp, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu6awAFy6mI
- To learn more about new-recruit bootcamp, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsva0qmNUzQ
Contact:
Ministry of Forests
Media Relations
250-380-8491
ILR5
