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Group of Tasmanian firefighters jet off to battle Canada's raging wildfires

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The group includes ten firefighters from Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service. Image / Supplied

20 Australian firefighters, including 10 from Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service, have headed to Canada as wildfires continue to rage across the country.

The group flew out today as part of a 100-strong Australian contingent responding to Canada’s international call for help with its firefighting efforts.

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Among them are three Tasmania Fire Service personnel and seven firefighters from South Australia, forming a specialised strike team to boost frontline resources.

Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said the Tasmanian crew includes a mix of experienced specialists from across the state.

More than 4.1 million hectares of land have been scorched by wildfires. Image / Alberta Wildfires

“From PWS in the south of the state Luke Gadd will be deployed as task force leader along with crew leaders Rodney Watson and Robert Watchorn and arduous firefighters Gemma Rushton, Mark Monks, James Wassif, Adam Burt and Kate Goyen,” Edwards said.

Representing northern Tasmania are Kelly Viney and Arlea Gschwendtner, while the Tasmania Fire Service is sending Luca Clark from Hobart, along with Mathew Elphinstone and Rhys Gardiner from Launceston.

Matt Elphinstone, Arlea Gschwendtner and Kelly Viney at Launceston Airport. Image / Supplied

Canada is currently in the grip of an extreme fire season, with the country sitting at its highest national fire preparedness level.

More than 250 fires are burning across the country, with over 2,200 blazes recorded so far this year, scorching more than 4.1 million hectares of land.

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“This deployment has demonstrated an effective use of our specialist expertise internationally for firefighting efforts in Canada,” Edwards said.

“We are able to contribute resources and transferable skills, to provide relief on the ground.”

Over 250 fires are currently burning across Canada this year. Image / Manitoba Government

Australian fire crews have backed up Canada and the United States many times since 2000, including several deployments in the past two years.

“We thank our staff for their continued efforts to help keep the community in Canada safe,” Edwards added.

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“Our thoughts are with all those in Canada affected by wildfires and our crew. We look forward to welcoming our firefighters home.”

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