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US fire crewfinds sanctuary

By Monique Ebrington

10th March 2009 02:00:07 AM

John Schmechel from Sonora, California, Ross Pekinpah from North Fork, California, Megan Timoney from Eden, Utah, Eric Heyn (back) from Eureka, Montana, Jay Esperance from Caspar, Wyoming and Robert ‘Buck’ Silva from Alturas, California, travelled from the United States to help control fires affecting the Yarra Valley.

FIRE authorities from the United States of America swapped work for wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary last Thursday.

The six member group, from California, Wyoming, Utah and Montana, arrived on 15 February to help control fires affecting the Yarra Valley.

Due to return back to the US Sunday 15 March, they were thanked for their support with a behind-the-scenes tour of the sanctuary.

Parks Victoria’s Information Unit Leader at the Woori Yallock Incident Control Centre (ICC) Reegan Key played tour guide on the day.

Ms Key had been working with several of the crew as part of the ICC logistics team and said the group were really keen to see the wildlife.

“I had suggested that Healesville Sanctuary should be a really lovely place to visit, particularly, with the proximity of the fires, they could see the local wildlife,” Ms Key said

The crew toured the sanctuary’s animal hospital, visiting wildlife injured by the fires, fed kangaroos and had a private birds-of-prey experience.

Firefighter Jay Esperance from Caspar in Wyoming said their presence in helping with the fires was well received by both the authorities and the community.

“We’ve received the red carpet treatment. Everyone has been very gracious. It’s been a huge honour to come over and help out,” Mr Esperance said.