NZ Army firefighter marks 21st birthday on US wildfire front line

A New Zealand Army soldier marked his 21st birthday far from home while helping international crews respond to major wildfires in the United States.

Sapper Sam Darge, from Ōhaeawai in the Far North, was one of five New Zealand Defence Force firefighters deployed to the United States as part of a wider Fire and Emergency New Zealand-led response during the northern hemisphere wildfire season.

The deployment took the NZDF team into demanding conditions in the Pacific Northwest, including work in Washington and Oregon. For Darge, the contrast was particularly sharp after coming from winter conditions at Waiouru Military Camp to hot, steep and smoky fire grounds in the US.

NZDF said the young soldier described the experience as challenging and a steep learning curve. His birthday fell during the deployment, and while he was able to speak with his family, the circumstances were a long way from a normal 21st celebration. His team still found a way to mark the milestone, presenting him with a cake and a T-shirt signed by members of the New Zealand contingent.

Waiouru Military Camp Firemaster Staff Sergeant Matt Anker led the NZDF firefighting team. He said Darge was a passionate firefighter and a strong addition to the group.

The New Zealand military personnel were part of a much larger international response. NZDF said 242 personnel from Australia and New Zealand deployed during the operation. Fire and Emergency New Zealand separately confirmed that a 57-person New Zealand contingent sent to the United States in August included five NZDF firefighters, alongside 43 Fire and Emergency personnel, four Department of Conservation staff and five forestry personnel.

Fire and Emergency said that contingent was prepared for a range of operational duties, including frontline firefighting, fire engine crews, chainsaw work and specialist incident-management roles. Personnel were selected for experience working in arduous conditions such as steep terrain, high temperatures and remote fire camps.

The NZDF team spent about six weeks in the United States. According to the Defence Force, its work included establishing and holding indirect control lines along forest road networks, helping protect utility corridors and preserving evacuation routes. Tasks also included cutting firelines, dealing with hazardous timber and laying long lengths of hose.

The operation brought military firefighters together with Fire and Emergency, Department of Conservation and forestry personnel, as well as Australian and American crews. Anker said the deployment demonstrated how effectively New Zealand agencies that work together domestically can integrate during an international emergency.

The deployment was also part of a broader season of New Zealand assistance in North America. Fire and Emergency said in September that 68 New Zealanders had deployed across three contingents to the United States and Canada since July. The agency said overseas deployments not only provide support to countries facing severe wildfire conditions but also give New Zealand personnel experience in large and complex incidents that can strengthen capability at home.

The final New Zealand contingent returned in September, bringing the North American deployment programme to a close as agencies turned their attention toward New Zealand’s own approaching wildfire season.