International Cooperation

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service collaborates with countries around the globe to address wildfires here at home and internationally.

A group of people in different yellow, red, black, and blue uniforms pose for a photo in the middle of a grassy field. Those in the center hold up an American flag and a Canadian flag. A helicopter is parked immediately behind them. A row of parked cars is just visible at the edge of the field to the left. Int eh background, dense trees line the far edge of the field. The sky is a moody patchwork of dark clouds, blue sky, and light clouds illuminated in gold by the setting sun.

Escalating wildfires are a global challenge. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service collaborates with other countries to ensure additional firefighting resources are available when needed to address catastrophic wildfires in the United States while providing similar support to our international partners.

We exchange expertise, equipment, and personnel through international agreements with:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Portugal

These international partnerships strengthen wildfire response capabilities on all sides and enable rapid mutual aid during periods of severe fire activity.

How International Support is Decided

In the United States, decisions at the federal level about requesting and providing international support with wildfire response are made by the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group.

The group works throughout the year to balance the needs of our international partners with wildfire response needs in the United States. It provides international support whenever possible while retaining sufficient resources to address existing and potential new wildfire suppression needs at home. Responding to wildfires in the United States is our top priority.

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