CANBERRA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Australia stands ready to help authorities in the United States contain wildfires, Sky News Australia Friday quoted Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister as saying.

McAllister said the federal government has reached out to authorities in the United States through diplomatic channels to make it clear that Australia is ready to assist with containing the fires if needed.

"We are yet to receive any response for assistance, but of course, as always, we stand ready to assist," she said.

Australia currently has one Large Air Tanker (LAT) aircraft -- a Boeing 737 Fireliner -- in its permanent aerial firefighting fleet and leases up to six more each year from North America.

At least seven people have died and thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed in the out-of-control wildfires that are burning across Los Angeles County in the U.S. state of California. Enditem

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