As massive wildfires continue to burn across much of Australia more than 100 wild land firefighters from the United States -- including some from Colorado -- are flying down to help.
That's according to the National Interagency Fire Center and the National Forest Service.
A group of 20 firefighters from California, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Alaska, and Oregon are leaving from San Francisco International Airport Saturday for a 30-day assignment in New South Wales.
Another group of about 59 firefighters will leave from Los Angeles on Monday. They will join 81 U.S. Firefighters already on the ground in Australia.
The teams are part of an arrangement with Australia and New Zealand to exchange employees.
In 2018 those two countries sent 142 firefighters to help fight fires in Northern California, Southern Oregon, and Washington State.
Wildfires in Australia have burned more than 12 million acres since September. They have killed at least 23 people and destroyed more than 1,400 homes.
Another international team assigned to Australia. #NSWfires #AustraliaFires #USwithAUS pic.twitter.com/dGxiQYO9mS
— National Interagency Fire Center (@NIFCfire) January 3, 2020
100+ #fire personnel from the #USA are now working w/#Australia's fire crews combating the devastating #fires. We send well-wishes of rain, lower temperatures & decreased winds. Thank you for your efforts! pic.twitter.com/nxVUf7Sc4d
— Forest Service NW (@ForestServiceNW) January 4, 2020
