South Dakota is helping to fight the California wildfires.

The Rushmore State plans to send five engines and at least 17 firefighters there. However, the Renner Fire Department has been fighting a wildfire near Junction City, CA since last Wednesday.

Renner firefighter Cody Vosburg left with two other firefighters and an engine last week. In a phone interview with KSFY, Vosburg described the blaze they're working on putting out. He said, "It was just kind of creeping up the hill and every once and a while we get those trees to torch right close to us and it gets quite warm."

At this time, the Renner Fire Department is standing by. If the fire spreads, they will be the initial attack.

"So if there's a new start we'll be some of the first engines in on the new start," said Vosburg.

California is asking for continued support, so Renner firefighter Brad Vosburg will fly to California Sunday. Having fought similar fires before, he knows he'll have his work cut out for him when he joins his nephew Cody.

"There's actually 15 fires and of those 15, five of them are actively growing," said Brad.

The Renner Fire Department is rotating their crew every two weeks. They plan on fighting the California wildfires for as long as they're needed.

KSFY's Drew Sandholm can be reached by phone at (605) 373-7372 or by e-mail.