Ukiah, California, USA - Aug 9, 2018 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Fire engines
2. Various of firefighters getting ready to put out wildfire
3. Firefighters carrying bottled water
4. Firefighters going through operation orientation
5. Instructor on operation
6. Firefighters listening to operation orientation
7. Fire engines moving
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Macdonald, fire captain (starting with shot 7) (ending with shot 10):
"When we look at the fire in total, it would appear as though we've made great progress on the fire. However, the fire that's left, or the uncontrolled fire edge that we're currently fighting fire on, on the north side of the fire is in rugged, mountainous terrain. It is very difficult to get to and firefighters are going to work very hard to extinguish that fire."
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9. Fire engines moving
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10. Firefighter opening fire engine's box
11. Firefighter checking saw
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Matt Brown, fire captain (partially overlaid with shots 13-14):
"I think the toughest thing on all of us is being away from our families. Our families are making the sacrifice too. We are out here, helping people we don't even know. And they are giving up their time with their husbands and their wives and stuff to be out here to help other people they don't even know. So that's a pretty special thing."
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13. Placard on fence reading "We appreciate you and your hard work. Stay Safe."
14. Picture on fence showing fire fighter for fire operation
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15. Firefighter closing seal of truck
16. Fire engines in row
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Harre, principal fire officer from Auckland, New Zealand (starting with shot 16) (ending with shot 18):
"So we've got a really good relationship between America and New Zealand, and we've had the American task force team come out and assist with the Kaikoura and Christchurch earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, so we are really grateful to be able to provide that reciprocal help."
18. Firefighter closing taking tool out from fire engine

Carr, California, USA - July 31, 2018 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
19. Aircraft dropping fire retardant over raging flames
20. Raging forest fire
21. Firefighters putting out fire

As the sun rose in Ukiah, California, more than 4,000 firefighters prepared for another grueling day, after the Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest in the state's history, scorched more than 120, 000 hectares.

Each fighter was assigned a task. Some picked up important supplies, while others attended the latest operations briefing.

They were trying to contain the fire to largely wilderness areas, but the task seemed too difficult for them.

"When we look at the fire in total, it would appear as though we've made great progress on the fire. However, the fire that's left, or the uncontrolled fire edge that we're currently fighting fire on, on the north side of the fire is in rugged, mountainous terrain. It is very difficult to get to and firefighters are going to work very hard to extinguish that fire," said Ian Macdonald, a fire captain.

For many, this routine is about to enter a third week.

The firefighters know they will likely be here until September and possibly longer.

"I think the toughest thing on all of us is being away from our families. Our families are making the sacrifice too. We are out here, helping people we don't even know. And they are giving up their time with their husbands and their wives and stuff to be out here to help other people they don't even know. So that's a pretty special thing," said Matt Brown, a fire captain.

Among those helping with the efforts are firefighters from Australia and New Zealand, a partnership that has been in place for 50 years.

"So we've got a really good relationship between America and New Zealand, and we've had the American task force team come out and assist with the Kaikoura and Christchurch earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, so we are really grateful to be able to provide that reciprocal help," said Thomas Harre, a principal fire officer from Auckland, Australia.

California has seen devastating wildfires so far this year. Before the Mendocino Complex Fire, the destructive fire erupt in Carr, northern California.

Despite the recent progress in containing the Mendocino Complex Fire, operation remains huge.

And there are fears that as the sun begins to break through the thick smoke, further fires, possibly closer to towns and villages, are likely.

It means that firefighters have to face a race against time to build containment lines while desperately hoping they won't be needed.