Flags across the state will fly at half-mast in honour of the three American firefighters killed when their waterbomber crashed in southern NSW.

The C-130 air tanker went down near Cooma, while working in the Snowy Monaro area, killing its three occupants on Thursday afternoon.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian tells Chris Smith the men had dedicated months to protecting NSW towns from bushfires.

She says flags will be flying at half-mast out of respect.

“It’s the least we can do to demonstrate our deep gratitude.

“The Americans, the Canadians… they’re all embedded in our operations so I know many of their countrymen and women will be particularly affected.”

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Image: Getty/James D. Morgan