CFA operations officer Wayne Rigg is one of three people from the Grampians region who flew from Melbourne to Sydney on Sunday afternoon before leaving for Canada on Monday. 

This is the second time in less than a year that Mr Rigg has been to Canada to assist with fires.  

“I deployed in August last year to British Columbia to help out with the forest fires there,” he said. 

“The fires this time around are more widespread across a number of provinces.

“Our neck of the woods is well represented again, which is a recognition of  the skills that we have.”

Victorians are expected to focus on the areas of British Columbia and Alberta.

Victoria is contributing 45 firefighters towards an Australian total 102 who will travel to Canada on Monday.

Within the past day there have been 45 new fires across the country and more than 13,000 people were evacuated from their homes last week.

Mr Rigg said the Australians making the journey covered a wide number of roles. 

However, he said Australian generally fitted in well with the Canadian firefighting crews. 

“We are very very similar to the Canadians, we use a similar incident management process and culturally we are very similar people and because of that, and our strong bond with that country, we are able to assimilate into their operation easily,” he said. 

“Firefighting is a fraternity the world over, we are proud to go and represent our country but the important thing is that we want to help out, it is what we do.

“And in the future (...) there is no doubt they will be here again to help us.” 

The Victorian contingent comprises of 21 personnel from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 12 from Parks Victoria, nine from Country Fire Authority, and single representatives from Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and Emergency Management Victoria.

Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett said the government was pleased to share resources internationally.  “We are proud of the relationship we have built with Canada over the past 10 years, and again look forward to offering our support during this busy time.”