By Zach Hope
After hours in the air and two days of training, researching and acclimatising, Justine Gude can’t wait to start ‘‘digging the lines’’ in Victoria’s fire grounds.
She is part of a crew of close to 70 specialists flown in from the Angeles National Forest in the US on Wednesday to continue a half-century tradition of firefighter exchange across the Pacific.
US firefighter Justine Gude is ready to drive on the left.Credit: Scott McNaughton
‘‘Remembering to stay on the left’’ is just one of challenges facing the US teams, Ms Gude says, who will be on light and heavy machinery clearing fire breaks in the Alpine region with about 50 other Americans, each with unique skill sets.
Another taskforce is heading to Wodonga to integrate with CFA teams fighting the Corryong fire, which is now merging with another massive blaze burning in southern NSW.
‘‘I think the biggest difference will be familiarising ourselves with different flora and fauna, the different weather patterns and also topography and terrain,’’ US field liaison officer Todd Jinkins said from Myrtleford Incident Control on Friday.
‘‘But most of these people have anywhere from 10-20 years firefighting experience, so they’re very experienced firefighters who do this pretty much as a profession.
American firecrews on the ground in Myrtleford.Credit: Scott McNaughton
"As we all know, the fire seasons are getting longer across the world ... and they find themselves fighting fires most of the year now.’’
Taskforce leader Leonard Dimaculangan said the rapturous welcome from scores of grateful Australians at Melbourne Airport had given the teams a much-needed ‘‘boost of energy’’ after the long flight from Los Angeles.
‘‘The welcome that was prepared for us was tremendous. I hope we can reciprocate that when firefighters come and aid us in the US,’’ he said.
Ms Gude, from southern California, is one of only a handful of women among the US contingent, but with five older brothers nothing fazes her.
And besides, ‘‘If you’re good at your job, that’s all that matters’’.
‘‘It’s my first time in Australia and I’m sorry it’s under these conditions,’’ she said.
‘‘But I’m super happy to be here. I feel good.
"Jetlag’s all in your head.’’