20 Aug 2023

Last deployment of NZ firefighters return home from Canada

7:20 am on 20 August 2023
Residents watch the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, on August 17, 2023, from Kelowna. Evacuation orders were put in place for areas near Kelowna, as the fire threatened the city of around 150,000. Canada is experiencing a record-setting wildfire season, with official estimates of over 13.7 million hectares (33.9 million acres) already scorched. Four people have died so far. (Photo by Darren HULL / AFP)

Residents watch the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna Photo: DARREN HULL / AFP

A group of New Zealand firefighters deployed to Canada to help with wildfires is returning home today.

The western province of British Columbia was still under a state of emergency, as fast-moving wildfires threatened homes in the city of West Kelowna.

Most residents of Yellowknife, a city farther north, had evacuated because of another dangerous blaze.

New Zealand sent 92 firefighters from Fire and Emergency, the Department of Conservation and forestry companies to help fight wildfires in Canada this year.

This fourth group, named Delta, was the last deployment as Canada had not made any new requests for help.

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