100 firefighters from Mexico coming to help fight SQF Complex Fires in Tulare County
Fire departments across California are stretched thin, with 23 fires currently raging out of control.
FRESNO, Calif. -- Mexico is sending 100 firefighters to Central California to help fight the SQF Complex Fires.
The Mexican firefighters will be arriving at San Bernardino International Airport on Wednesday afternoon. They will then undergo training for a couple of days, after which they will join the ranks of fire crews battling the SQF Complex Fires raging in Tulare County.
The SQF Complex Fires have already torched more than 144,708 acres and destroyed nearly 200 structures, forcing many residents to evacuate. They are only 33% contained.
RELATED: SQF Complex Fire: 144,708 acres burned, 33% contained, latest evacuation orders
The United States Forest Service and the Mexican government have historically helped each other out in forest and fire management.
Fire crews across California are currently in the midst of one of the worst fire seasons in history, with 23 fires currently raging out of control. They are in dire need of personnel.
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The firefighters will help build control lines and increase overall containment of the massive blaze - just one of many burning across the west and in the state of California.
"Folks haven't been able to get the resources that they need to implement the strategies. So yeah the Mexican crews that are coming in are needed. The resources are stretched, the resources are tired, they've been at it a long time this summer," said SQF Complex Information Officer Mark Vosburgh.
In recent days, crews have been hard at work protecting places like Ponderosa.
Thanks to their tireless efforts, there's been no damage to the lodge or the many cabins that sit behind it.
"A lot of the fuels around the community have actually been fired, control burned, which were planned activities that have been taking place over the last several weeks," said Vosburgh.
But Ponderosa and many other Tulare County mountain communities remain under an evacuation order and it will be some time before residents can return.
Vosburgh explained there's still active fire in the area and crews need plenty of room to work without having to worry about others' safety.
"Just having a lot of vehicle traffic, honestly, is one of the biggest hazards firefighters face - vehicle accidents - so keeping a handle on that is really helpful to these guys.
