Joanna Tucker, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Kadina CFS volunteer Justin Baxter is flying to the United States this week to help fight some of the 85 wildfires burning across the country, following an SOS call put out by officials. 

The Moonta Bay resident left Yorke Peninsula yesterday (Monday, August 5) and is scheduled to reach the state of Idaho tomorrow (Wednesday, August 7) to start his mission, along with eight more South Australians and a host of other Australian firefighters. 

As of Monday, there were at least 10 Idaho wildfires burning across about 25,000 hectares, according to the US National Interagency Fire Centre. 

Mr Baxter said he had undergone an intensive training program to be ready for the 40-day deployment.

“The process to get to this point was not straightforward,” Mr Baxter said. 

“I had my training credentials and experience vetted across several stages of the process, and had to pass additional fitness testing that is required for this incident-management role.” 

Combined with his many hours of preparation, Mr Baxter was chosen for his extensive experience, including battling some of the state’s most significant recent blazes at Yorketown, Sampson Flat and Kangaroo Island. 

The latest Australian contingent will join another group in North America that was sent to Canada last month. 

Parts of that country have been hit by heatwave conditions, fuelling hundreds of fires and forcing residents to flee their homes. 

From an early age, Mr Baxter knew he wanted to be a firefighter, but he did not know his childhood dreams would lead to working on blazes across the world. 

He has previously travelled with the CFS to fight fires in New Zealand and Queensland, and has also worked for emergency services in remote SA. 

“I’ve been in the Country Fire Service for around 22 years, and it’s a big organisation,” he said. 

“I think we’re at 14,000 volunteers, but we’re also a close-knit family.” 

Mr Baxter has held leadership and command positions during his career, including brigade captain. 

Being part of the CFS is also a proud family tradition. 

“My partner is in the CFS in the Northern Yorke brigade, and my son has been in the CFS for a couple of years down in the Salisbury brigade close to Adelaide,” Mr Baxter said. 

“So we’ve all grown up around it, but it doesn’t mean that anyone is any less concerned.” 

Mr Baxter is studying law, as he has a strong interest in human rights and justice for those harmed by crimes and conflict. 

“I hope to use my degree to assist and support vulnerable people in my regional community,” he said. 

His motto is “honesty, integrity, and trust in each other, which underpins all we do”. 

“I understand that, above all, your loved ones, family and friends are your everything.” 

This article appeared in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 6 August 2024.