Previous Story
DOI deploys firefighters to assist Australia with raging wildland fires
|
Posted on Feb 15 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Department of the Interior will immediately deploy 29 experienced wildland firefighters to Australia to help battle raging wildfires in Victoria State, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced recentlt. The Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service also is sending about 31 wildland firefighters as part of the United States assistance.
“Australia is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season due to record high temperatures, drought, high wind and low humidity,” Secretary Salazar said. “We are dispatching this help in response to an official request under our mutual assistance agreement with Australia. They have helped us many times to battle wildfires in the West and we are eager to demonstrate our gratitude and assist them at this critical time.”
More than 180 lives have been lost due to the Australian wildfires, which have burned more than a million acres in the past week. Secretary Salazar also extends the Department’s condolences for the loss of life.
On Feb. 11, the State Government of Victoria formally requested U.S. assistance, including two 13-member Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation teams; one suppression crew (20 people); three planning chiefs; four operations chiefs; three logistics chiefs; one public information officer; three liaison officers
The wildland firefighters Interior is sending include 18 from the Bureau of Land Management; five from the National Park Service; three from the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and three from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All are federal employees who will be deployed for up to 35 days. Departures are scheduled to begin today. Australia will reimburse the United States for all expenses, including salaries.[B][I] (PR)[/I][/B]
