In Australia, wildfires have been raging out of control since September during the continent’s hottest year on record. The flames have claimed 30 lives so far and destroyed more than 2,500 homes.
Here’s what you should know about the deployment of U.S. firefighters:
1. Three U.S. firefighters have lost their lives. On Jan. 23, an aerial tanker crashed in the mountains near the Australian capital of Canberra, killing all on board, including three U.S. firefighters.
2. Australia has helped the U.S. in the past. In 2018, the Australian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council sent 139 firefighters to help with wildfires in California. The two countries have been trading fire service assistance for the last 15 years.
3. Only federal employees can be mobilized by the U.S. Under the terms of the plan, "Wildfire Arrangement Between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture of the United States of America and the Australian and New Zealand Participating Agencies," only federal employees are eligible to be mobilized by the U.S. government.