Tasmanian firies head to Canada

Four Tasmanian firefighters will travel to Canada to help battle extensive forest fires ravaging the country.

Canada is facing some of its worst fires in years, with more than 13,000 people evacuated from their homes and about 1400 soldiers deployed to help battle the flames across Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Two of the Tasmanian officers are from the state's fire service and two are from the Parks and Wildlife Service.

They are set to fly out on Monday as members of a team of 106 Australians.

The escalating situation had overwhelmed the capabilities of local authorities, Tasmanian Minister for Police and Emergency Management Rene Hidding said.

"Our firefighters will give local crews some much-needed respite, while also imparting their knowledge on tackling such severe wildfires," she said.

"We expect they will be working either in Edmonton, Alberta or Chilliwack, British Columbia and will be deployed for about six weeks."

New Zealand is also sending 16 firefighters to Edmonton.