The US Army is sending hundreds of troops to help tackle wildfires raging across parched California.

It’s the first time since 2006 that the military has mobilised federal active duty personnel to fight wildfires.

Eighteen wildfires are raging in California, and 10 states around the country are reporting large fires.

A heatwave and four years of drought is causing the situation to get worse.

– Newstalk ZB