Community
6 July, 2023
Rangers in Canadian firefight
TWO Far Northern Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers are joining three other state rangers in the ongoing battle against unprecedented wildfires in Alberta, Canada.
Rangers-in-charge Rob Miller, of Mareeba, and Paul Bufi, of Cairns, will be working beside some of the best fire responders from across Australia as part of an international battle across central-west Alberta.
Environment Minister Leanne Linard said to receive the call to assist with the fight against the disastrous wildfires impacting Canada “is a testament to the skills and experience of Rob and Paul,” as well as three other Queensland rangers.
Mr Bufi said it wasn’t long ago that “we were facing our own bushfire disaster across Queensland like we’d never seen before, so I know how overwhelming it can be”. “I am nervous about going when it’s something we haven’t done before, but in a situation like this when it’s all hands-on deck you’ve just got to put those feelings aside and get the job done,” he said.
Mr Miller said: “We just hope that we can put our fire management knowledge to good use to preserve not just the nearby communities but the environment too.”
The rangers will be in Canada for a month.
