NSW helicopters and firefighters are off to France to help as bushfires sweep across Europe, acting Prime Minister Richard Marles says.
A Chinook heavy-lift helicopter with an 11,300-litre water tank and a Bell support aircraft will be accompanied to France by 24 aerial and ground crew from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).
They are expected to join in around-the-clock firefighting operations after Australia’s help was sought by the French Government.
The fires in France are among the worst the country experienced in decades, driven by multiple active fire fronts and a prolonged summer heatwave; 84,000 residents have returned to their homes around Bordeaux, according to media reports.
Fires have also spread across Spain, UK and Germany while Ukraine’s war with Russia continues.
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The helicopters and firefighters will be delivered by the RAAF using its heavy-lift C-17 Globemaster and is due to fly out within days.
The NSW RFS has a Boeing 737 tanker which is currently fighting fires in the US.
“Australia and France work closely together in our region, and we are proud to be supporting them now during their time of need,” Marles, who is also Defence Minister, says.
“The Australian Defence Force will make an important contribution to these efforts, using its assets to help get assistance to where it’s needed.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Penny Wong says France is “a close and valued friend of Australia”.
“The scale of these fires is immense; it is in moments like these that the strength of our partnership and solidarity is most evident.”
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain says: “Having seen firsthand the severe impacts bushfires have had on my community and many others across Australia, my heart goes out to the people of France.”
She also pointed out that France had sent fire crews to help Australia during the 2019-20 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires.
NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib says they are “proud to support our international partners in their time of need”.
“The Chinook will be a welcome boost to French firefighting capabilities with its large water storage and night-time capabilities,” he says.
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