Whanganui volunteer firefighter Aaron Hartley's first international deployment was an "eye-opener" and an experience he's keen to repeat.
Hartley, who is an arborist, spent two weeks in southwest Tasmania as part of a team fighting the huge Gell River bushfire which was started by a lightning strike.
"The day we arrived the fire covered 19,600 hectares," Hartley said.
"It was forever changing due to the weather conditions. It was hot and dry - up to 37 degrees. We worked 12-plus hours some days but only eight hours other days as the weather conditions were too dangerous."
The work was varied and Hartley learned some new techniques and tactics.