International firefighters head home after a month of fighting western wildfires [Video]

SOUTH BOISE, Idaho — Firefighters from Australia and New Zealand spent the last month fighting wildfires burning in Oregon and Washington. About 60 firefighters from the two countries filled much needed, specialized high-level positions on crews at the height of fire season.

• This is the 8th time firefighters from Australia and New Zealand have been deployed in the U.S. since 2000.
• The crews split up across Oregon and Washington to work specialized roles like Safety Officers, Task Force Leaders, Helicopter Base Managers and Division Supervisors.

(Below is the transcript from the broadcast story)

Boots are getting cleaned and gear is being returned at NIFC.

“First time being deployed to a fire here, which has been very good. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for nearly 20 years,” says Cameron Wade, a Safety Officer and Australian firefighter.

He is part of the Australian and New Zealand Wildfire response crew leaving Boise after a month in the U.S.

Wade spent …