US firefighters met with cheers as they join battle against Australia bushfires

These American firefighters were given a warm welcome by Aussies as they arrived at Sydney Airport to the fight against raging wildfires which have killed 26 people.

At least 2,000 homes have been destroyed and eight million hectares have been torched by the flames, which are expected to drag on for another three to four months.

In a bid to help the country handle the crisis, 100 firefighters from the USA were dispatched to support the 159 already there, officials confirmed.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons shared a video of well-wishers cheering the new arrivals after touching down in Sydney before heading to Victoria.

He said: ‘As they came through the arrival gate, those gathered gave a spontaneous and lengthy round of applause, reflecting the gratitude and admiration we all have for their generosity and assistance.’

Speaking to ABC News American firefighter John Szulc said: ‘I’m not really worried, I think we’re well trained.

‘We’ve got to learn from your local people in how we can do business and fit in with your system.’

It comes after 20 firefighters from LA’s Angeles National Forest were sent down under on Monday by the as the US National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).

The organisation leads American wildfire fighting missions but has the resources to send firefighters overseas during the winter months.

The personnel, who have plenty of experience containing forest fires, will be taking over from a crew who’ve been there since the beginning of December.

Spokeswoman Carrie Bilbao said the firefighters were receiving training on Australia’s many insects and poisonous snakes ahead of their mission.

The ongoing crisis, which is thought to have been worsened by climate change, has been estimated to have wiped out at least one billion animals and may have driven some species to extinction.