The US contingent has been concentrated on the two biggest fires in California; the Mendocino Complex and Carr Fires with two personnel assigned to the Crescent Mountain Fire in Washington.
Our Canadian crews are spread over a larger number of fires with the southern and northern most almost 2000km apart.
Personnel in both countries report trying, but fascinating conditions. The sheer scale of what they are dealing with is unlike anything we encounter here. The experience will be invaluable for them and us in the future.
A strong focus is being maintained on safety. Without constant attention it is possible to become overly comfortable with extreme conditions that have already claimed several lives in the US.
In both countries the public response to our deployments has been extremely positive. Our people are generating a huge amount of goodwill for Fire and Emergency in particular and for New Zealand in general.
The professional reaction has been equally positive. To quote from the fire ground assessment of our Grand Forks crews by British Columbian officials: “Awesome professional crew. We could all learn from the professional conduct and workmanship of this tight crew. Solid.”