BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington fire crews have been sent up north to help fight dozens of wildfires.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that over 200 firefighters began their trek into northern Canada this past weekend.

Dozens of wildfires are burning across several provinces, sending smoke-filled air into the Midwest and eastern parts of the U.S.

Washington fire crews are specifically headed to northern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

At least a dozen total wildfires are burning out of control within the two provinces.

As part of an inter-regional agreement, officials in Washington and nearby Canadian provinces can request or send assistance in the event of a forest fire.

DNR State Forester George Geissler adds that Canadian crews recently sent some of their aircraft to help fire crews tackle a blaze in Washington.