MARION (WSIL) -- As the wildfires continue to burn in Australia, more U.S. personnel are on their way to help.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, more than 150 of our firefighters are in Australia right now, helping to fill critical roles.
One of those men happens to have local roots. He grew up in Harrisburg and is working on getting back to the U.S. after six long weeks of fire management in New South Wales.
"He was going there to try to strategically help them to get a handle on these fires," said Marion resident Gail VanOrmer. "As everybody who's not living in a box knows, Australia's on fire."
VanOrmer has several stories her son, Tyler, shares from down under.
"He said these guys will work all day, and then come staggering in about 5 o'clock at night and say, 'Mate, I can give you three hours.'"
Tyler VanOrmer is a Zone Fire Manager for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. For the past six weeks, he has helped manage the bushfires that are burning millions of acres in Australia.
"I saw this picture of the firemen in their truck, in the yellow garb, and the flames were coming over the truck, and quite frankly, I got a little hysterical," Gail VanOrmer said, adding that she insisted her son contact her immediately.
"'Mom, I'm fine. I've been doing this for 25 years,'" she said he replied over the phone after reaching her.
She says it doesn't matter, a mother still worries. And with the fire-filled imagery coming out of Australia each night, her concerns are shared by many.
Tyler spoke with News 3 on the phone from Sydney Thursday and said, while they do have success stories, it is going to take some help from Mother Nature.
"There's plenty positive, we've saved numerous houses and communities. There's only so much you can do though," said Tyler. "There's no end to this until it rains. It's going to have to. It's so big now that there's just no way they're going to be able to put it out until rain comes."
Tyler is a few days away from returning home, back to his wife and two children and looking forward to finally enjoying the holidays.
"It was an experience, so I'll say that, something I'll never forget about," he said.
It's something his mother will never forget as well.
"I'm very proud of him," said Gail, adding that she guessed it shows.
The U.S. has mutual aid agreements with Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and firefighters from all four nations have assisted each other for more than 15 years.
According to the USDA Forest Service, the last time the U.S. sent firefighters to Australia was in 2010.
