New Jersey firefighters are headed out west to help fight California wildfires

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Parts of Southern California are dealing with triple-digit heat and wildfires.

So now, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is sending a crew and two fire engines out there to battle the flames. The crew will be assigned to the "Department of the Interior". They run public lands like national parks. 

This out of state assignment has no impact on the ability of the Forest Fire Service to fight any wildfires in New Jersey.  

For more than 35 years, the NJ Forest Fire service has offered aid to many states – including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.

Sunday is also National Wildland Firefighter Day and President Joe Biden acknowledged those who serve.

"On National Wildland Firefighter Day, I join Americans across the country in expressing deep gratitude for our wildland firefighters and support personnel who heroically protect our communities and natural resources from wildfires," the president said. 

National Wildland Firefighter Day takes place during the Week of Remembrance that is held annually from June 30 to July 6, which serves as a moment for the entire nation to reinforce our commitment to wildland firefighter safety, as we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 
 

In:
• New Jersey
• Wildfire
• Wildfire Smoke
• Wildfires
• California Wildfires