TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With drought-stricken California grappling with major wildfires, 20 Florida wildland firefighters will go to northern California to help battle the blazes, state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Monday.
In a prepared statement, Putnam said firefighters from other states have helped when Florida has faced large wildfires and that the Florida Forest Service's wildland firefighters are "proud to return the favor to help protect life, property and natural resources in California."
An additional 29 people from the Florida Forest Service are also helping with firefighting and management duties in the western United States, according to Putnam's department, which includes the forest service.