Kiwis off to do battle in US wildfire season

American firefighters take a break and a well-earned drink before being joined in their battle against wildfires by 10 New Zealanders who left yesterday for the US.

The Kiwis will meet up with 40 Australians, and they'll help to control the huge numbers of fires that break out during the dry season.

Southland officer Mike Grant said the trip followed an agreement between Australia, New Zealand and the US to help each other where firefighting resources were stretched to the limit. August was traditionally a dry month in the US, he said. "Most of the fires start after lightning strikes in tinder-dry conditions. When firefighting resources are stretched, supervisory experience is needed most."

About 50 major fires are raging in the northwest corner of the country including Idaho, Montana, Washington State, Oregon and Northern California.