Erwin Bocianski is a smokejumper – a specialised firefighter deployed by parachute into hard-to-reach wildfires, from Fort St John, British Columbia. Erwin arrived in Australia in November 2025 and joined the Murray Goldfields team in central Victoria.
A strong operational background
'While this is my first bushfire season with FFMVic, the decision to come to Australia was driven by a desire to continue learning and expanding my skills,' said Erwin.
Erwin previously worked alongside Australian firefighters in Canada, and knew colleagues who had completed seasons in Victoria. He saw the Australian bushfire environment as a valuable opportunity to complement his northern hemisphere experience during the off-season.
After completing 3 weeks of training, including seasonal firefighting, administrative requirements and 4x4 operations, he was based at the Inglewood depot. Like many this season, the transition from routine duties to active firefighting happened quickly.
'I have since responded to multiple incidents across regional Victoria, including Charlton, Durham Ox, Ravenswood–Harcourt and the large Walpeup desert fire, logging around 20 fireline days,' he said.
Adapting to Victorian conditions presented new challenges
'Differences in terminology and workplace language took some getting used to, but more significant was the change in suppression tactics.'
'In contrast with Canada, where water is more accessible, Australia’s limited water access increases reliance on firefighting vehicles such as Unimogs and CFA trucks. Combined with working in predominantly hardwood forests, this required a significant shift in approach and tactics.'
Learning to manage the risks posed by large gum trees, including internal burning which is not common in Canada due to high internal moisture, and falling limbs was an interesting takeaway.
In Canada, most of the area burned each year occurs in boreal forests – northern landscapes dominated by pine, spruce and fir.
Standout moments included helping hold the Ravenswood–Harcourt fire near the Calder Highway and protecting homes, as well as working deep in the desert landscape at Walpeup.
The presence of Canadian firefighters this season highlights the importance of international cooperation.
Sharing skills across fire seasons strengthens both countries’ capabilities, builds mutual understanding, and ensures experienced personnel are ready to assist when conditions become extreme.
To find out more about working as a seasonal firefighter, and register your interest, visit: seasonal firefighting
Page last updated: 23/02/26