An Australian father has died after his helicopter crashed while battling wildfires in Canada.
Tom Frith’s plane crashed on June 28 near Fort Good Hope Airport in Canada’s remote Northwest Territories.
Great Slave Helicopters, Mr Frith’s employer, paid tribute to the father-of-two who was “loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him”.
“He was a beacon of light, loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him,” the company said in a statement.
‘Tom passed away whilst fighting a bushfire near Fort Good Hope, Northern Territory, a testament to his unwavering courage and dedication.
‘As we go through this time of grief, let us hold on to the memories of Tom: his smile, his laughter, his love and the countless ways he made our lives better.
‘His legacy will live on in his beautiful young family and in the hearts of all who knew him.
‘Our deepest condolences to Tom’s wife, children, parents, siblings and all his family and friends in Yellowknife and Australia.’
Australian father Tom Firth (pictured) has died after his helicopter crashed while battling wildfires in Canada.
Reat Slave Helicopters, Mr Frith’s employer, paid tribute to the father-of-two who was “loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him”.
More than 100 people paid tribute to Mr Firth on social media.
“Thank you Tom for your unwavering commitment and courage in everything you took on, we will miss you greatly,” said Stephanie Yvonne.
“As I sit and mourn for Tom, I remember that he was very professional, you could see that he valued safety during his helicopter safety briefings,” Phranque McKay said.
‘My condolences for meeting such a wonderful man!
“I remember Tom as a fearless, bold boy who had the courage to do things other people wouldn’t do and who had a lot of love for his family,” Monique Brigid said.
‘Upon hearing of his heroic passing protecting the community and doing what he loved, my heart was still full.’
The Northwest Territories Fire Department confirmed that Firth was the only person on board when the helicopter crashed.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has also launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, and investigators were working at the crash site on Sunday.
NWT Fire’s Mike Westwick said Mr Firth’s death was a “tragedy” felt by the firefighting community.
“Our thoughts are with the pilot’s family, friends and colleagues following this tragedy. We are devastated by the loss of a member of our family to the bushfires,” Westwick said.
‘The repercussions of these events extended throughout the fire service community in the Northwest Territories, Canada and beyond, given the close and interconnected personal connections formed over many years.’
Canada is facing its worst fire season on record, with more than 150 active fires burning since 2023 (pictured, fire at historic Hangar 11 in Edmonton, Alberta, on April 22)
Authorities evacuated more than 3,500 people from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, after a fast-spreading fire spread to 8 square kilometres in five hours (pictured)
Mr Firth was battling the blaze in the small community of Fort Good Hope, home to about 500 people.
The city has been under evacuation order since mid-June due to massive wildfires raging across the north of the country.
The Fort Good Hope community has been under evacuation order since June 15 and will remain so until July 13.
The fire has spread over more than 8,000 hectares and continues to burn out of control.
Canada is facing its worst wildfire season on record, with more than 150 active fires since 2023.
The fires burned in underground peatlands (dense wetlands filled with partially decomposed vegetation) through the winter before re-emerging on the surface in February this year.
Authorities have evacuated more than 3,500 people from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, due to the fire.
In May, a 21,000-hectare fire threatened residents of Alberta, a town near Fort McMurray.
