Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has received international firefighting support from several countries in response to its devastating wildfires. The United States, Canada, and New Zealand have historically sent firefighting personnel and resources to Australia, with the US and Canada maintaining an arrangement for efficient resource sharing during peak fire activity. In 2019-2020, the US sent several hundred personnel, including expert firefighters from California, to assist with Australia's wildfires. New Zealand deployed firefighters, helicopters, and crew from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Additionally, countries like Papua New Guinea offered to send 1,000 soldiers and firefighters if requested by the Australian Prime Minister. Australia has also received support from its own citizens, with volunteer fire brigades common across the country, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries sending firefighters to Australia | 4 (The United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea) |
| Number of firefighters sent by the United States | 100 in early December 2019, 44 forest service and wildfire personnel on December 30, 21 on January 4, and 2,000+ wildland fire staff in 2022 |
| Number of firefighters sent by Canada | Not specified |
| Number of firefighters sent by New Zealand | 157 firefighters and personnel in October 2019, 22 more firefighters and 3 helicopters in January 2020 |
| Number of firefighters sent by Papua New Guinea | 1,000 soldiers and firefighters |
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What You'll Learn
Firefighters from the US
In December 2019, the US sent several hundred firefighters to Australia to help with the bushfires. The US firefighters filled critical wildfire and aviation management roles in New South Wales and Victoria. They also provided support in the areas of mid-level fireline management, helicopter operations, and structure protection. The US had previously sent firefighters to Australia in 2010.
In January 2020, the US deployed additional DOI and USFS wildfire personnel to Australia. Three 10-person Incident Management Teams and a group of air support personnel were among those who arrived. Two 20-person hand crews, made up of DOI and USFS firefighters from across the US, were also sent to Australia. Overall, the US had deployed over 200 USFS and DOI wildland fire staff to Australia by that point.
In January 2025, 71 fire management personnel from Australia and New Zealand arrived in the US to assist with wildfires across the West. This exchange of support between the two countries demonstrates their ongoing commitment to mutual aid during times of crisis.
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Canada sends support
In 2019, Canada sent firefighters to Australia to help tackle the devastating wildfires that were raging across the country. This was part of an arrangement between the two countries that has been in place since 1982, which ensures efficient resource sharing during peak fire activity.
Canada and Australia have a history of helping each other during wildfires. In 2025, as wildfires raged across Canada, Australia sent a 96-personnel-strong contingent of firefighters and specialists to Canada for five weeks. This deployment was in response to a request from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). The group assisted in firefighting efforts in various parts of Canada, including British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
In addition to Australia, other countries have also offered support to Canada during wildfire seasons. In 2025, Canadian resources received support from the United States in suppressing wildfires in Southern California. The US provided two air tankers from Quebec, two crews and two overhead personnel from Alberta, and one crew and one overhead personnel from British Columbia.
The mutual aid and cooperation between Canada, Australia, and other countries during wildfires demonstrate the global effort to combat these devastating events and ensure the safety of communities worldwide.
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New Zealand's response
Australia has received support from several countries in the form of firefighters and other resources to combat the devastating bushfires. New Zealand has been one of the key contributors to this effort.
New Zealand's Minister of Defence, Ron Mark, emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for more international assistance. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also expressed her support, stating that Australia had stood by New Zealand during difficult times in 2019 and that New Zealand was ready to reciprocate. She announced an additional deployment of 22 firefighters to Australia.
New Zealand's contribution to Australia's bushfire relief efforts did not end with firefighting personnel and military support. The country also offered mutual wildland fire management resources and established a framework for ongoing cooperation through the Australian Firefighters Calendar, which has raised funds for both Australians and New Zealanders in need. This mutual support between the two countries dates back several decades, with New Zealand firefighters assisting in the US as recently as August 2024.
The close relationship between Australia and New Zealand during crises demonstrates the strong bond between the two nations. New Zealand's response to Australia's bushfires was timely and comprehensive, reflecting their commitment to supporting their neighbour during a challenging period.
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Papua New Guinea's offer
Australia has received offers of assistance from multiple countries during its bushfire crisis, including the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Military support from Singapore and New Zealand is coordinated with the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Papua New Guinea, an island nation located north of Australia, has also offered its support. PNG Prime Minister James Marape communicated with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, offering 1,000 soldiers and firefighters to combat the fires and aid in relief efforts. This offer was made public via a statement on Marape's Facebook page, where he also expressed his sympathies to the Australian public.
Marape's offer is significant for two reasons. Firstly, it provides much-needed help to communities in Australia affected by the fires. Secondly, it is important to Australia's foreign policy goals, particularly in the context of the Pacific Step-Up, which often frames Australia as a benevolent provider and Pacific Island states as passive recipients. By accepting PNG's offer of assistance, Australia has the opportunity to foster interoperability and reciprocity with its Pacific neighbors.
In response to PNG's offer, Australia's High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Bruce Davis, stated that the initial deployment of PNG troops would assist the Australian military in its response to the bushfires. This deployment consisted of 100 PNG soldiers sent to Australia to help fight the bushfires, a number lower than the initially proposed 1,000. This reduction in numbers may have been due to logistical constraints or a reassessment of needs by both countries.
PNG's offer of assistance to Australia during its time of need demonstrates the strong bond between the two nations and PNG's commitment to supporting Australia in its time of crisis.
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France's 10 firefighters
In December 2019, the United States and Canada sent firefighters to Australia to help tackle the raging wildfires. In addition, a comment on a wildfiretoday.com article mentions 10 French firefighters who were eager to come and help for two weeks in February, bringing their own fire gear. They were willing to travel to Australia at their own expense, as France was not sending any official support.
The French firefighters were trained and experienced professionals, keen to assist during Australia's time of need. They planned to travel to Australia independently, demonstrating their dedication and willingness to contribute their skills and expertise to the effort.
While the comment does not specify whether these firefighters were able to join the US and Canadian efforts, their commitment highlights the global support and solidarity during Australia's challenging time. It is a testament to the bravery and selflessness of these individuals, who were determined to lend a helping hand despite the challenges of international travel and potential risks.
At the time, Australia was facing devastating wildfires, with thousands of volunteers from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) stepping up to battle the blazes. These volunteers included people from all walks of life, such as 22-year-old landscaper Daniel Knox, who was part of the NSW RFS and had been fighting the fires for weeks.
The NSW RFS is the world's largest volunteer firefighting organisation, with 70,000 extensively trained members, most of whom are unpaid. The organisation played a crucial role in combating the wildfires and received support from various countries, including the US, Canada, and potentially the group of French firefighters.
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Frequently asked questions
At least three countries have sent firefighters to Australia: the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
The United States sent at least 161 firefighters and wildfire personnel to Australia, including 100 expert firefighters from California.
It is unclear how many firefighters Canada sent to Australia. However, Canadian firefighters joined the effort and Canada also sent blaze specialists to help manage the flames.
