📌 Firefighters from Australia and New Zealand are traveling to the U.S. to assist exhausted crews

[Wwcd]

Link to tweet

August 3, 2018
About 100 firefighters from Australia and New Zealand are traveling to the U.S. on Friday to assist exhausted crews battling wildfires in the U.S. northwest.

1.4 million acres in 13 states, driven by windy conditions and a dry, hot summer.

The biggest is the Carr Fire in Northern California, which has killed six people, including two firefighters, and prompted the evacuation of 37,000 from their homes.

“We are very appreciative of the Australian and New Zealand firefighters for their availability to assist us with our current fire situation,” said Dan Smith, the chair of the U.S.’s National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group.

“Because of the current level of commitment and forecast, having fire management expertise from Australian and New Zealand with specialized experienced firefighters will be of tremendous help as we continue suppressing ongoing fires.”

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[hlthe2b]

1. ...

That gives me quite the emotional tug. Despite the impact of Trump, some will still come to help us.

[GregD]

2. The Carr fire is 60 miles south of my home

Earlier last month we had the Klamathon fire which was an hour north of here. It ran up to the Oregon border.
http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/2108

Acres Burned - Containment: 38,008 acres - 100% contained
Structures Destroyed: 82 destroyed, 12 damaged


Now we have the CARR down the hill.
http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=2164

Acres Burned - Containment: 141,825 acres - 41% contained
Structures Threatened: 1,358
Structures Destroyed: 1,073 residences, 14 commercial structures, 492 outbuildings destroyed - 190 residences, 8 commercial structures and 60 outbuildings damaged

But between those fires we had a 2-3 week period of 90+ temperatures, almost daily thunder storms, thousands of lightning strikes, VERY dry terrain, and small fires being set all over the place.

All I can characterize the past month up here is that it has been traumatizing. The smoke has been intense, everyone is on edge, folks have exit plans in place or are forming such plans, and it's just freaking scary.

Some folks (myself included) want to travel for various reasons, and we are afraid to leave in case we get evacuated. I have a friend who has to go back East for a family event, and he's put in place assurances that his cat can be safely transported in such an event while he's gone.

Send rain please. We desperately need it.

[Wwcd]

3. Wow! I can only imagine the subtle terror you & yours must feel every day

I truly wish all in your area safety, and hope you keep DU updated.

I honestly don't know what I would do if I were in your situation, surrounded by fires & not knowing whether to stay or leave all you have.

This is such a sad time for folks in your very beautiful part of the country.

Please post updates for us if you can.
Thanks & best wishes to you & yours. 🍃

[Hortensis]

4. This is such a heart-lifting reminder of the healthy,

responsible, competent, just plan GOOD forms interconnectedness of peoples take. i love its functional commonality. Borrowing firefighters.

[BigmanPigman]

5. People and countries can accomplish so much when we

work together for a common cause. Look at those boys lost in that cave. If people REALLY wanted to they could dramatically fight Climate Change and start a recovery process for the planet.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

6. Thank all of you from Down Under for coming over to help.

These wildfires out here are terrifying. They grow so huge, they move so fast, they jump, they defy efforts to put them out, they feed into the winds and become fire-nadoes. We fear this the most.

So much damage, so many lives (human and wildlife) destroyed, so many acres burned, and hearts broken.

You folks are a god-send and we all thank you for your assistance, from so far from home, from the bottom of our hearts.

Stay safe out there.