Sixty-nine Canadians, including Joe Russell of Corner Brook, are giving up their holidays at home to join the battle for the first time against the deadly wildfires devastating vast tracts of several Australian states.

I’m excited to be joining this fine group as we travelled to our assignment locations today assist with managing the many wildfires currently burning throughout @NSWRFS https://t.co/YsXRt3OvxB

— Joe Russell (@joeman5594) December 22, 2019

Canadian Inter-agency Forest Fire Centre executive director Kim Connors says a contingent of highly trained staff have left Canada to help battle the blazes.

Joe Russell, is a Wildland Fire Training Specialist, and Provincial FireSmart Liaison and Logistics Section Chief. Kim Connors says the Canadians won’t be on the front lines.

The Canadians who will be away for the holidays to help with the devastation are from all over Canada.