To supplement the nearly 5,000 firefighters on the ground from around Australia, the US folks arrived on Sunday February 15th. US Consul General Michael Thurston and myself greeted the 60 firefighters which are from 15 different states and all five federal fire agencies in the US. Oregon contributed the majority of firefighters with over 20%. A good mix of folks that have a good understanding that this is a fire suppression/recovery like none other in their careers.
Our firefighters rested a day, then completed induction and headed out to the line. Many have been placed in hard to access terrain facing twin issues of rainforest-like conditions in some areas, combined with prolonged drought in others, which had been presenting challenges for fire crews establishing control lines around the 220,000-hectare Kilmore East-Murrindindi fire. Next week is predicted to be hot and windy (again).
Bodie
1 comment:
wow, that is amazing. i bet you were glad to see them! sending prayers for safe fire fighting.
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