The Otago Rural Fire Authority is calling for messages of support and items that will "bring a smile to the faces'' of firefighters battling blazes in Fort McMurray, Canada.
The Canadian fire service is still fighting the Alberta wildfire that caused the evacuation of about 80,000 residents last week.
Otago Rural Fire Authority principal rural fire officer Stephanie Rotarangi said it wanted to send care packages that would "motivate and encourage'' those on the front line.
"We feel helpless watching the tragedy unfold. We know how much messages of support mean.''
She encouraged people in the district to send messages of support or "quintessentially Otago'' items.
Rather than looking for emergency donations, it was targeting "anything to brighten their day'', she said.
Dr Rotarangi was part of a New Zealand team sent to Alberta last year to organise firefighting during what was then Canada's worst-ever fire season.
All items would be sent directly to Alberta fire services and they would distribute them.
"We have a great relationship with them. When we were over there we would eat pineapple lumps and peanut slabs and act like they were God's gift.
"We want to send things like that, which we know will bring a smile to their faces.''
The first packages would be made up tomorrow and sent on Friday, but the authority would continue to send anything donated after that, she said.
A signed Highlanders jersey and items such as local chocolate and coffee brands had already been donated.
Items can be dropped at its headquarters at 85 Castle St, Dunedin, or the Central Otago District Council building in Dunorling St, Alexandra.
Messages of support can be emailed to admin@orfa.org.nz.
