SA Country Fire Service (CFS) Strike Team Leaders from Goolwa, Sellicks and Kangaroo Island Brigades are part of a team deploying to the United States of America for the first time since 2018.

The skilled firefighters will support the US key wildland firefighting agency, the National Interagency Fire Centre (NIFC), in managing extensive incidents across the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington.

The eight-member deployment depart Adelaide today, Tuesday 6 August and head to the NIFC base in Boise, Idaho, as part of a contingent of 66 Australian firefighters.

CFS crew, featuring six volunteers and two staff, participating in this deployment include:

• Malcolm Biscoe, Strike Team Leader, Goolwa Brigade
• Anthony Casey, Strike Team Leader, Peterborough Brigade
• Justin Baxter, Strike Team Leader, Kadina Brigade
• Garry Jungfer, Strike Team Leader, Angaston Brigade
• Paul Unsworth, Sector Commander, Sellicks Brigade
• Timothy Buck, Sector Commander, Kangaroo Island
• Damon Whitwell, Sector Commander 
• Michael Amos, Sector Commander 

NIFC is currently managing around 100 fires in the Pacific Northwest, with over 80 of these uncontained large fires, according to the CFS.

Conditions in the area range from desert landscape to large mountains, with personnel camping and working in various types of weather.

In total, 20 CFS personnel have been deployed this year to fight fires in Canada and the USA, including from the McLaren Vale Brigade.

Chief Officer, Brett Loughlin says the CFS is honoured and privileged to support overseas firefighting agencies during their time of need.

“Our CFS personnel will be providing a valuable resource in fighting these fires, but also gaining additional skills that will benefit our communities as we prepare for our own fire danger season.”

This deployment will last for up to 40 days.