As of Friday, one person has been deployed from Prince Edward Island to help with the raging wildfires in Australia.
Brad Romaniuk, an incident commander with Parks Canada, is part of an international effort as firefighters continue to battle, at last count, about 135 fires throughout the country, 70 of which are still considered not contained.
Charlottetown MP Sean Casey’s office referred The Guardian to a statement released by Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne who said that, since Dec. 3, nearly 100 Canadian fire management personnel have been deployed to Australia with more on the way soon.
A senior communications officer with the provincial Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change said no one has been sent yet from its forestry division to Australia.
Leanne Ritchie, spokeswoman with the department, said it’s a devastating situation and the province’s thoughts are with the people of Australia and Canadians who are living there.
“Canada’s response has been largely focused on providing specialized wildfire management positions, including safety officers, information officers and fire response team leaders,’’ Ritchie said. “Over the years, several Island wildfire fighters have been trained in these areas and used this training during major fires in western Canada.’’
Ritchie added that when the Island receives specific skill set requests, depending on work and personal commitments, trained staff can choose whether they can travel to help with a crisis.
Mid-May into June is typically the height of the P.E.I.’s wildfire season so if any request was to come in Ritchie said it would not have any impact on the Island’s capabilities.
Need to know
Here are some of the ways people can help with efforts in Australia:
- The New South Wales Rural Fire Services accepts donations at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade
- To donate to wildlife rescue efforts, go to www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fun
- Australia’s beer industry is rallying in support of those impacted by the bushfires and is holding a fundraiser Jan. 18. Via a Facebook campaign called Beer for Bushfire Relief: A Day of Fundraisers Throughout the Australian Beer Community, the local beer industry will be donating $1 from every beer sold. All proceeds going to the local rural fire service.
- Victoria, a state in southeast Australia, has launched on an online campaign. The Victorian government has partnered with Bendigo Bank and the Salvation Army to establish the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. All of the money donated will go direftly to communities in need. Go to www.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal
There's also a grass-roots fundraising movement beginning here on P.E.I.
Lindsay Clements, a native of Beach Point who lives in Australia, said at Southern Kings Consolidated School, which she attended, teachers and students are raising money to help support efforts to fight the crisis.
The school’s newsletter says the school is doing a fundraiser that includes having PJ days on Fridays this month and jersey days on Feb. 7 and 21. Money will be donated to a trusted organization currently affiliated in the relief efforts.
Meanwhile, a fundraiser was also held on Thursday at Founders’ Food Hall and Market that included music and a silent auction with items donated from dozens of P.E.I. businesses. Money raised was set to go towards the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and the RSPCA New South Wales Bushfire Appeal.
Chelsea McBride, a Charlottetown native living in Australia, said the fires have brought the country together like she’s never seen before.
“Individuals are running campaigns for basic goods such as canned food, sanitary items, water, lip salve and throat lozanges,’’ McBride said, adding that a colleague of hers has collected 1,500 bottles of water to deliver to areas once they are considered to be safe.
“Birthday parties for children are now gift-free with gold coin donations accepted to be used for the cause. Sewing groups are also accepting spare linen and pillow cases to create homes for joeys (baby kangeroos), bats and other wildlife found amongst the ravaged bush.’’
