Sydney, July 23: Australia will send about 100 firefighters to the United States to help battle wildfires that are sweeping through parts of the country, government officials said today. New South Wales state forestry minister Kim Yeadon said the decision was made after a plea for help from the US.

In 2000, about 100 Australian firefighters battled blazes in 13 US states, relieving US firefighters exhausted after many months of fighting fires. While Australia suffers terrible wildfires of its own, the worst of the blazes occur around January, during the southern summer.

At this time of the year, winter, there are few wildfires in Australia and less demand for the highly trained and experienced firefighters. "We're delighted to be able to help them and I think it also reflects very well on Australia that the United States keeps on inviting US back," Yeadon said.

A senior Australian fire official flew to the United States today to decide where the firefighters would be deployed and when they would leave, Yeadon said.

Wildfires grew to 92,000 acres yesterday in western United States. About 2,000 US firefighters are already fighting the blazes and a convoy of 250 national guard troops was scheduled to arrive yesterday to assist. Bureau Report