Bush fires have burned more than 27 million acres — an area half the size of Idaho — in Australia since fall. More than a billion animals have died, many species have been pushed to the brink of extinction and entire sectors of the country’s economy, such as tourism and logging, have been devastated. Paul resident Clay Stephens wanted to do what he could to help. So the Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District fire safety and training officer volunteered to go to Australia and fight the fires for 30 days. He joined several hundred firefighters from the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs assisting with the fires. Three other Magic Valley firefighters have volunteered to go to Australia. Michael Johnson, an engine captain with the BLM Shoshone Field Office, recently got home after his 30-day stint.