No rest for globe-trotting firefighter

WHERE NEXT: Kevin Ihaka looks at a US map to figure out where he may possibly end up on firefighting duties.PHOTO/JOHN STONE

Keven Ihaka hasn't had time to unpack his bags after returning from a firefighting stint in Canada early this week and he's hopping back on the plane for a similar mission to the United States this weekend.

The principal rural fire officer for Whangarei and Kaipara is one of 15 Kiwi firefighters and the only Northlander selected to help battle bushfires ravaging in seven western US states.

About 25,000 firefighters are working on 95 large bushfires burning over 445,155ha in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, Nevada and Colorado.

Mr Ihaka returned early Monday from Canada after a 35-day deployment as part of 16 firefighters from rural New Zealand battling huge wildfires in Alberta, where fires tore through more than 800,000ha of forest.

He flies out to the US tomorrow.

Australia is contributing 56 firefighters and Mr Ihaka said both country's firefighters were expected to work together on the ground in the US.

The Kiwi firefighters leave for the National Interagency Fire Centre in Boise, Idaho, where they will be briefed and deployed to Washington, Montana, California or Oregon.

"A lot of fires have started at once and that has stretched resources. It's been a bad season for them," Mr Ihaka said.

"Soldiers are being brought in to help out and we've worked with soldiers before. Our role is mostly supervisory and my job is that of a division supervisor who'll be guiding a group of firefighters on the ground."

He said being a trained firefighter with a history of going places at short notice, he was ready for another overseas deployment this weekend.

"It's the pinnacle of any firefighter to undertake such tasks at short notice. It's what we've been trained to do as fires are becoming a regular event these days."

At the moment the assignment is for two weeks that could be extended by a further fortnight.

"Kiwi firefighters are likely to be working in rugged and mountainous terrain in very high temperatures gripping those states at the moment."

Almost two dozen fires are blazing in Washington state alone.

The US government has mobilised 400 active soldiers to join firefighters and has also deployed four air tankers.