As the largest wildfire in California history spread to over 300,000 acres of land on Wednesday, more firefighters from other states and nations headed to the Golden State to prepare to battle its massive wildfires.
Around 14,000 fire crews are fighting at least 18 wildfires in California fueled by heat waves coming one after another.
The Mendocino Complex Fire, which started on July 27 and is located at Northern California, charred an area larger than Los Angeles County within 11 days. CalFire reported on Aug. 8 that 46% of the fire was contained; however, it’s estimated that the fire won’t stop burning until September.
With fires still burning out of control and more resources needed in California, other states reached out to help. On Wednesday, 90 firefighters with 25 fire engines were on their way from Texas to California, where they were told they could be working on a 24-hour on and 24-hour off schedule for 14 days, according to KHOU 11.
Firefighters from Porter and Galveston Fire Department at @HobbyAirport getting ready to fly to #California to help Battle the largest wildfire in that state’s history. Help us wish them a safe journey. #khou11 pic.twitter.com/T6D1azNcd8
— David Gonzalez (@DavidGonzKHOU) August 8, 2018
“This is the first time that we’ve ever been out of the state to assist another state with an assignment. Pretty much going over and making a difference,” Brandon Shafer with the Porter Fire Department said to the station.
Arizona sent crews to California back in July to help with the Ferguson Fire raging near Yosemite National Park, which is now indefinitely closed due to the fire.
The Ferguson Fire has been burning for almost four weeks with two people killed, 13 injured, nearly 95,000 acres of land scorched, and 43% containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
One of #Arizona’s strike teams outside of #Yosemite working the #FergusonFire. Currently, almost 375 AZ firefighters are assigned to help on #CaliforniaWildfires. Stay safe! #AZFire #AZForestry #CarrFire @CAL_FIRE pic.twitter.com/mZmSSMi0oK
— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) July 30, 2018
Nealy 400 firefighters and 80 pieces of fire equipment from Arizona have also been deployed to forests and mountains in California, according to AZFamily.com.
#AZStateForestry Engine 361 representing Southern #Arizona on the #CarrFire #Redding #CaliforniaWildfires pic.twitter.com/vkIh4cUBbY
— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) August 5, 2018
Firefighters from Florida, Utah, Maryland and several other states provided their assistance and resources to California over the past weeks.
In addition, 53 fire crews from Australia and New Zealand joined in fighting the Carr Fire at Redding, California last Friday, according to KRCR News. The Carr Fire has killed two people and destroyed more than one thousand houses. By Aug. 8, the fire burned over 170,000 acres with 47% containment.
#Australia ?? & #NewZealand ??#Firefighters arrived in Redding #california to help battle the #wildfires #CarrFire #MendocinoComplexFires #MutualAid USFS Fire CA Photos #ThankYouFirefighters pic.twitter.com/1Vn6SIvJlG
— Newsy ◢ ◤ (@usaphotodude) August 7, 2018
