Jindabyne NPWS Ranger, Danny Corcoran, is travelling to Redding, California to help with air operations after being picked as one of the Australian specialists who will provide assistance to the Americans as they fight some of the worst bushfires to hit northern California for many years.

Mr Corcoran's wife, Angie, said that he left with the other fire fighters on Sunday and contacted her on Tuesday to say that he was in Idaho receiving training and being very well looked after.

Mrs Corcoran said: "This is an opportunity for Danny to share his very specialised knowledge and experience in fire fighting to help another country. I think it's terrific; he has a lot to offer. We're very proud of him."

Mr Corcoran is one of three NPWS air specialist firefighters who left for the United States.

The local ranger, who has been with NPWS since 1985, will be assisting in the many fires that are currently engulfing California, as a helicopter base manager.

The parks ranger and specialist in air based firefighting will be in his element battling the fires in remote areas. Mr Corcoran has spent the last ten years fighting fires from the air and is qualified as an air attack supervisor.

With experience in the 2003 and 2006 local fires and in the Blue Mountains, Mr Corcoran has a lot of valuable experience to offer the Americans.

Mr Corcoran and NPWS officers from Bulga and Dorrigo will be coordinating helicopter operations directly attacking the massive fires burning in steep country or directly threatening property.

All are highly experienced aircraft officers whose skills will be needed to co-ordinate base operations safely especially with the high number of helicopter movements and short 'turn-arounds' required when large fires are burning.

Mr Corcoran said: "In 2006 we had the boys from Idaho come over and help us with a fire on the border of Victoria. Now it's our turn to help them out."