Sunrise in Ukiah, California and thousands of firefighters are preparing for another grueling day. Each crew member is assigned a task. Some, pick up important supplies. Others, attend the latest operations briefing. The Mendocino Complex Fire is the largest in California history - scorching more than 120-thousand hectares. While crews have managed to contain the fire to largely wilderness areas, that makes it all the more difficult to reach.

IAN MACDONALD FIRE CAPTAIN "When we look at the fire in total, it would appear we have made great progress on the fire. However, the fire that's left, the uncontrolled edge that we are currently fighting fire on, the north side of the fire, it is in rugged mountainous terrain and it is very difficult to get to and firefighters are going to have to work very hard to extinguish that fire."

For many, this routine is about to enter a third week. The firefighters know they will likely be here until September and possibly longer.

MATT BROWN FIRE CAPTAIN "The toughest thing about all of this is being away from our families. Our families are making a sacrifice too. We are out here, helping people we don't know. And they are giving up time with their husbands and their wives to be out here helping people they don't even know. So that's a pretty special thing."

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

THOMAS HARRE PRINCIPAL FIRE OFFICER, AUCKLAND "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 earthquakes in 2010, so we are really grateful to provide that reciprocal help."

DAN WILLIAMS UKIAH, CALIFORNIA "Despite the recent progress in containing the Mendocino Complex Fire, this remains a huge operation. 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 firefighters here face a race against time to establish containment lines while desperately hoping they won't be needed. Dan Williams, CGTN, Ukiah, California.