EL PASO, Texas -- California is requesting help from whereever they can get it. The Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico got the call.

Some New Mexico Forest Service personnel and equipment are heading to California. Officials said they wish they could send more but the timing is wrong.

As the wildfires in California burn, the clock ticks for dispatch workers at the Lincoln National Forest in Alamogordo.

They're calling any Forest Service support personnel that can go support the California fires operation. So far three fire engines along with 12 firefighters are on the way to California, but because it's prime season to work on fuel treatments at the Lincoln National park, more crews are not available.

"We cannot just up and pull all the forces working on the prescribed fires right now and leave those unattended," said James Villard with the Lincoln National Forest.

One resource that is available is an air tanker.

"This plane hauls 2,080 gallons of retardant to drop on the fires," said Pete Ruiz, the airtanker base manager at Alamogordo.

Ruiz just got back from California and said they need all the help they can get.

"The brush is so dry, you can hear it crackle. We experienced fire next to the ocean, it's extreme fire behavior because our fuel is so dry," said Ruiz.

In addition to the 12 firefighters out there, a total of 12 support personnel is expected in California by Thursday.