US fire experts sent to Australia as bushfires burn across country
US firefighters Arrive in Australia to Help Fight Against Bushfires
Firefighters from Southern California are arriving in Australia in the fight against bushfires that have forced one of the largest evacuations in the country's history.
Twenty firefighters from Angeles National Forest Service are arriving in Australia, a spokesman said on Friday.
Twenty of those firefighters were assembled by the Angeles National Forest Services.
The firefighters, who come from all parts of the Los Angeles area, battled the Saddle Ridge Fire in October in the northern San Fernando Valley.
According to Forest Service spokesman, Andrew Mitchell, Australian firefighters come over the US to train with them to fight fires, so they are returning the favor to them. It is also possible that thy will send over another crew when the crew rotates out.
Australia is being ravaged by the worst wildfires seen in decades
More than 200 fires are burning in Australia, with hazardous conditions still ahead and mass evacuations underway.
Traffic was gridlocked as people escaped, and firefighters accompanied convoys of evacuees. Navy ships were called in to transport hundreds of people stranded on beaches.
Hot temperatures and long drought conditions have made for a devastating fire season for large swaths of Australia
The disastrous early start to the summer wildfire season has made this Australia's worst on record. One official noted the "fire fatigue" but told people not to wait to flee until it was too late.
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