Source: Tasmania Police
Issued: 12 Jul 2025
Eleven highly skilled fire-trained rangers from Queensland’s Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) are heading to Canada to support international efforts to battle the country’s devastating wildfires.
The rangers will join a contingent of Australian firefighters assisting Canadian crews in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and other affected regions, where intense wildfires are continuing to escalate.
It will be the first time DETSI has deployed female firefighters either outside Queensland or internationally to assist in fire operations, with four in the firefighting team.
Canadian authorities are currently managing around 500 active fires, with many classified as “out of control”.
The DETSI personnel have partnered with a further 10 firefighters from Western Australia to form a taskforce, taking their landscape fire management expertise to where it is needed most.
The Queensland team met their Western Australian counterparts at Brisbane Airport for a briefing on Saturday, 12 July, before flying out on Sunday, 13 July.
The DETSI team will work alongside Canadian and international fire agencies to protect communities, infrastructure, and vital environmental assets for the next 40 days.
DETSI Deputy Director General, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Ben Klaassen, said the department was proud to contribute to the international effort.
“Current weather conditions in many parts of Queensland mean we have the capacity to deploy a crew of our fire-trained rangers to assist our Canadian colleagues,” Mr Klaassen said.
“Our team’s experience will not only help protect communities and the environment in Canada, but it will also provide some much-needed relief to local crews who have been working tirelessly in incredibly challenging conditions.
“We wish our rangers every success and a safe return, and our thoughts are with the communities and firefighters affected by these devastating fires.”
DETSI Fire Behaviour Analyst Senior Officer Bluey Harris said the deployment was a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and develop international firefighting skills.
“We’re proud to lend a hand to our Canadian counterparts.
“Wildfire fighting is something Queensland rangers know well, but this deployment will allow us to experience a different environment and learn from global approaches to managing large-scale incidents.
“It’s a chance to exchange knowledge, improve our skills, and bring valuable lessons back to Queensland.
“I’m interested to experience completely different ecosystems and learn an entirely different approach to fire management,” Ms Harris said.
The DETSI team is expected to return to Australia on 17 August.
The eleven DETSI personnel deploying to Canada are:
- Ranger Ben Finnerty – Cairns, Northern Region
- Senior Officer Bluey Harris – Rockhampton, Fire Services
- Ranger Bradley Childe – Tewantin, Coastal & Islands Region
- Senior Ranger Chris White (Strike Team Leader) – Atherton, Northern Region
- Ranger Emily Gentle – Toowoomba, South West Region
- Ranger Emma Stievano – Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Marine Parks Region
- Ranger in Charge Lindie Pasma – Diamantina, Central Region
- Senior Ranger Miles Pritchett – Gold Coast, South East Queensland Region
- Ranger in Charge Paul Harris – Boonah, South East Queensland Region
- Ranger Peter Humphriss – Clermont, Central Region
- Senior Ranger Terry Peschek – Manly, Coastal & Islands Region