US state 'besieged' by wildfires

[Judi Lynn]

US state 'besieged' by wildfires

August 13 2005 at 03:24PM

San Francisco - Frontline firefighters expressed optimism on Friday in the battle against wildfires that caused part of the northwestern United States to be declared an emergency zone.

The governor of the US state of Washington proclaimed Thursday a statewide emergency, an edict that released funding for more firefighting resources and restricted campfires and other outside burning.

"We face a siege of wildfire across our state," Governor Christine Gregoire said in a written release. "Nearly every part of our state has the potential for a major fire."
(snip)

The governor's emergency declaration cleared the way for officials to summon the state's Army and Air National Guard to active duty to help firefighting crews.
(snip/...)

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=qw1123939622758U216

[seemslikeadream]

1. Where's the National Guard?

Oh, yea that's right the resident had other plans

[Straight Shooter]

2. I'm in eastern Oregon, and it feels like nonstop helicopters all day.

Not only that, there's a definite haze in the sky from wildfires burning somewhere. You can even smell it at times, even though it's far away.

edit to add that the helicopters are transporting water

[cliss]

4. That's too bad.

I'm in Portland, and it's clear skies and about 90 degrees expected today.

Yes, it's true our state is parched. Dry as a tinderbox. There will be fires this summer, I'm sure.

Stay safe, Str.

[Ediacara]

3. Rock on!

In a way... I'm glad other western governors are following Schweitzer's lead concerning the guard and firefighting.