U.S. Pledges To Help Russia Fight Fires

President Barack Obama has promised to supply Russia with technical aid as the country struggles to contain a series of wildfires, according to a statement put out Friday by the White House.

During a phone call with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Thursday, Obama said that the USAID, the Defense Department, the U.S. Forest Service and the California state government will work to supply the European federation with firefighting equipment and airlift assistance.

“The American People stand with the people of Russia in this difficult time,” the White House statement reads.

The wildfires began late last month and have killed over 50 Russians.