Tom Firth dies after helicopter crash while fighting wildfires in Canada

An Australian father has died after his helicopter crashed while fighting 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, beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing him,” the company said in a statement.

‘Tom passed away while battling a bushfire near Fort Good Hope, NT. This is a testament to his unwavering courage and dedication.

As we move through this time of grief, we must hold on to the memories of Tom: his smile, his laugh, 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 sincere condolences to Tom’s wife, children, parents, brothers and all extended family and friends in Yellowknife and Australia.”

Australian father Tom Firth (pictured) has died after his helicopter crashed while fighting 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 tireless dedication and courage in all that you did. You will be greatly missed,” said Stephanie Yvonne.

“As I sit here and cry for Tom, I remember he was very professional. You could tell he had a high regard for safety during his helicopter safety briefings,” said Phranque McKay.

My sincere condolences for having gotten to know such a wonderful man!

“I remember Tom as a child as a brave daredevil who had the courage to do things others wouldn’t do and who loved his family very much,” said Monique Brigid.

‘When he heard of his heroic death, protecting the community and doing what he loved most, he was still full of heart’.

The Northwest Territories Fire Department confirmed that Mr Firth was the only person on board when the helicopter crashed.

The Canadian Transport Safety Board has also launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Investigators are working at the crash site on Sunday.

Mike Westwick of NWT Fire said Mr Firth’s death was a “tragedy” for the fire service community.

“Our thoughts are with the pilot’s family, friends and colleagues following this tragedy. Our hearts are broken at the loss of a member of our bushfire family,” said Mr Westwick.

“These events had a profound impact on the fire service community in the NWT, Canada and beyond, given the close and intertwined personal ties that have been formed over the years.”

Canada is facing its worst fire seasons on record, with more than 150 blazes since 2023 (pictured is the fire at the historic Hangar 11 in Edmonton, Alberta, on April 22)

Authorities have evacuated more than 3,500 people from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, after a rapidly spreading fire expanded to 8 square kilometres within five hours (pictured)

Mr Firth was battling the fire in the small community of Fort Good Hope, home to about 500 people.

An evacuation order has been issued for the city since mid-June due to the massive forest fires raging in the north of the country.

The community of Fort Good Hope has been evacuated since June 15 and will remain in the same location until July 13.

It is a fire that covers more than 8,000 hectares and continues to burn out of control.

Canada is facing its worst fire seasons on record, with more than 150 fires expected by 2023.

The fires raged all winter in underground peat bogs, dense wetlands filled with partially decayed vegetation, before flaring up above ground again 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 local residents in a town in Fort McMurray, Alberta.