TWO American forest fire experts are in Ballarat for a month to share their knowledge and boost local firefighting resources.Shane Del Grosso and Allen Johnson are part of team of 15 forest firefighters from the United States and Canada who arrived in Australia last week and have been deployed across Victoria.The two men have more than 50 years of firefighting experience between them. Mr Johnson, a District Fire Management Officer from California, said the American and Australian approach to firefighting was similar. "The fuel type is different, but fire behaviour is basically the same," he said.Both Mr Johnson and Mr Del Grosso, a fire behaviour analyst from South Dakota, are regularly deployed to disaster zones across the US in the event of floods, hurricanes and fires. Mr De Grosso, a fire behaviour analyst from South Dakota said historically firefighting had come down to neighbours helping neighbours. "Now its countries helping countries," he said. "We can learn from each other and make it very beneficial for both."Mr Johnson is a District Fire Management Officer from California. He said the American and Australian approach to firefighting was similar. "The fuel type is different, but fire behaviour is basically the same," he said. Both Mr Del Grosso and Mr Johnson are regularly deployed to disaster zones across the US in the event of floods, hurricanes and fires. The pair will work on special projects during their time in Ballarat and help out if there's a bushfire. Premier John Brumby last week said the group of international firefighters were an important addition to Victoria's largest ever firefighting effort."The Canadians and American experts bring with them a vast knowledge of firefighting and will continue what is an ongoing information exchange on specialist firefighting with our local forces this season," he said.