NT Fire and Emergency Services (NTFES) has deployed its first contingent to assist with catastrophic bushfires that have been burning in Victoria since early January.
The fires have burned more than 350,000 hectares across the state, with multiple emergency warnings currently in place and significant impacts to Victorian communities, homes and agricultural land.
Following a formal request for assistance from the Victorian Government, NTFES has deployed an initial contingent of 34 volunteers and staff from across the Northern Territory to undertake on-the-ground emergency response and Incident Management Team roles. Additional staff and volunteers are on standby for deployment next week as required.
NT Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Andrew Warton said NTFES personnel are ready to work alongside interstate colleagues to support the ongoing emergency response.
"NT Fire and Emergency Services train year‑round to be ready for emergencies of this scale. Our highly skilled personnel bring strong experience in remote and extreme fire environments, and they are ready to contribute wherever they are needed," Commissioner Warton said.
"Our thoughts are with the Victorian communities affected by these devastating fires, particularly those who have lost homes, livelihoods, or been forced to evacuate. We know the toll disasters like this take, and we are committed to supporting those on the ground during this difficult time."
"I want to sincerely thank our members who have stepped forward to deploy. Their professionalism, resilience, and generosity reflect the very best of the Territorian spirit. Territorians have always stood alongside other Australians in times of crisis, and we are proud to support Victoria as they face this devastating emergency."
This deployment marks the first time NTFES has mobilised NT Fire and Rescue Service, Bushfires NT and NT Emergency Service personnel together for an interstate operation, highlighting the strength of the agency's unified capability.
