U.S. Forest Service Helping Crews Battle Wildfires in Australia

Since early December, U.S. Forest Service ground crews have been supporting Australia's efforts to control massive wildfire.  Shauna Legarza with the Forest Service said American fighters will remain in support as long as they are needed.

"It's all dependent on so many things over there, how are they recovering how are their people are they getting enough staff, to they need more what kind of the more replacement on that as we're here to help as long as they need the help from us."

To date, almost 40 million acres have been consumed by wildfire in Australia since June, fueled by a long term drought in that nation.  And for Australia, their peak wildfire season is now, through mid-March.  Legarza recently spent two weeks in Australia, observing first hand the devastation caused by fire.

"There was miles and miles and miles of black line where the fire had burnt really sad scenes of  massive amounts of dead cattle and sheep, kangaroos, koalas; devastation with communities," Legarza added.

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