The recent devastating fires in Los Angeles County have exposed growing cracks in the long-standing firefighting partnership between the United States and Australia, as climate change disrupts traditional fire seasons across both nations.
For over two decades, these countries leveraged their opposite hemispheric locations to share firefighting resources when needed. As one nation entered its fire season, the other could send help. But this well-established system now faces unprecedented challenges.
During the recent L.A. fires, Australia - despite offering assistance - was notably absent from the international response. The reason? Australia was already battling its own significant blazes, including a 187,800-acre fire in Victoria state that took three weeks to contain.
"Requests for international assistance are typically sent first to the countries experiencing the least wildfire activity," explained Erin McDuff from the U.S. Department of Interior's Office of Wildland Fire. This practical approach highlights how climate change is straining international cooperation as fire seasons worldwide grow longer and more intense.
The partnership's effectiveness was previously demonstrated during Australia's catastrophic Black Summer fires five years ago. The U.S. deployed 200 federal firefighters to assist exhausted Australian crews, reciprocating similar help received during Northern California's fires two years earlier.
However, experts warn that such exchanges may become increasingly difficult. Joel Kerley, chief executive of aerial firefighting company 10 Tanker, points to growing competition for limited resources. His company now struggles to meet international demands, having to decline requests from South American countries while maintaining operations in the U.S.
The situation has prompted calls for fundamental changes in how both nations approach firefighting. Australia's 2020 royal commission recommended building its own firefighting aircraft fleet rather than relying on international resources. In the U.S., experts advocate transitioning from seasonal to year-round firefighting operations.
The challenges are compounded by staffing issues. The U.S. Forest Service has lost 45% of its permanent employees over three years, with many California fire stations sitting empty due to staff shortages.
As both nations grapple with these new realities, the L.A. fires serve as a stark reminder that the traditional model of international firefighting cooperation may need urgent reimagining in our changing climate.