UNITED STATES – A group of 71 fire management personnel from Australia and New Zealand began arriving in the United States on August 7 to assist with multiple fires across the Western U.S.. According to Facebook posts from the National Interagency Fire Center, the personnel arrived in two groups, one on August 7 and one on August 9.
Both contingents received day-long orientation and situation briefings before traveling to assist with fires in the Pacific Northwest. The Australian and New Zealand firefighters are expected to leave the United States on September 11, but this could change depending on the fire situation in the country.
“Mutual wildland fire assistance between the countries goes back several decades. Most recently, the U.S. sent several hundred personnel to Australia to assist with a series of devastating wildfires from December of 2019 to April of 2020. In 2023, the U.S. sent 2,774 wildland firefighters to Canada during a historic fire season across multiple provinces.“
As of August 12, there are 78 large active wildfires being managed with full suppression strategies across the United States, with current wildfires having burned 2,404,053 acres. 27,200 fire management personnel are assigned to wildfires across the United States.
“Evacuation orders are in effect on 17 wildfires. If you’re in an area threatened by wildfires, your safety is the top priority. When evacuation orders are issued, it’s crucial to act quickly and follow the guidance of local authorities. Remember, your safety and the safety of your loved ones is what matters most. Trust the experts, follow evacuation orders, and stay safe.