Nation’s firefighters “unlikely” to be deployed to California

VICTORIAN and Australian firefighters are unlikely to be deployed to assist in ongoing wildfires ravaging Los Angeles, according to the Australia’s resource sharing centre. The US city has been met with scenes that resemble a disaster movie this past week since the fires broke out on January 7. As of 2pm Monday at least 24 people have been reported dead, and more than 12,300 properties and businesses have been lost. An Australian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council spokesperson said the situation would be monitored, but it would be unlikely any Australian resources would be called upon, with closer resources in Canada. “While Australia and the US have a strong relationship of international support, we have not received a request for assistance to support the wildfire response in California,” they said. “We are a global community who come together at the best and worst of times and we hope further losses are minimised.” An arrangement between Australian and US emergency services bodies signed in 2017 means either can request frontline assistance from the other. The increased demand for air tankers during the northern hemisphere winter would not impact those resources usually sent to Australia, according to a State Government Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action spokesperson. The spokesperson told the Wangaratta Chronicle the state had multi-year contracts in place to ensure it has the appropriate aircraft available when needed. “Victoria also has access to more than 100 aircraft from national and state resource sharing arrangements to help fight fires and keep the community safe,” they said. “Victoria has 54 aircraft in its core fleet this higher-risk weather season, including firebombing aircraft, air supervision and airborne information gathering aircraft. “Victoria's emergency services sector is thinking of its counterparts and communities in California during this difficult time.” Australia and the US have a long history of cooperation in firefighting US firefighters were deployed to Australia as recently as the 2020 bushfires along the east coast of the country. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said all CFA members had the people of Los Angeles in their hearts and minds. “Victoria all too well knows the devastation of out-of-control bushfires,” he said. “We send our condolences to the family of those who have perished, and sympathy for those who have lost it all as a result of the ongoing fire crisis.”

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