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CNN Live Today

Interview with Barb Tmock, U.S. Forest Service

Aired April 24, 2002 - 12:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, a fast-moving wildfire near Denver, Colorado, is forcing hundreds of families to evacuate. About 500 homes and two schools in Bailey are in the direct path of the fire. The lack of snow this winter has left much of the area bone- dry.

Barb Tmock from the U.S. Forest Service, joins us now on the phone with an update on the conditions. Barb, what can you tell us right now?

BARB TMOCK, U.S. FOREST SERVICE: As of this time, we have tankers dropping retardant on the fire, and helicopters working with bucket drops to drop water on the fire. We are working to build a defensive perimeter. We have about 10 percent containment, but the winds are expected to pick up dramatically this afternoon.

PHILLIPS: I know there has been a number of evacuations, homes, schools, do you expect more? What is that standing?

TMOCK: I have no information about additional evacuations, but the situation for the homeowners in the area is extremely serious, as it is for firefighters. We have about 200 people on hand, and we are keeping firefighter and public safety in mind first.

PHILLIPS: So the 450 homes that were evacuated already, those folks cannot come back to their homes yet, right?

TMOCK: That is my understanding. They are not allowed back in, and the information is -- we'll continue to keep those folks updated, but it is a serious situation, as a threat to their home.

PHILLIPS: Now, Barb, since there hadn't been any lightning recently, is this fire still considered suspicious in origin?

TMOCK: It is definitely under investigation. We have not had any lightning, and human-caused starts have been an extreme problem.

PHILLIPS: Have school classes been canceled?

TMOCK: I don't have any information on that.

PHILLIPS: OK. I had been reading that some of the middle schools, elementary schools, and high schools had been. The Red Cross, they have set up shelters, isn't that right? How are they involved, and how can people receive help from them?

TMOCK: Certainly the Red Cross has been an excellent help to the public in the area that had been effected. The local county sheriff is an excellent contact as well, and we have web sites set up trying to get information to people that have relatives in the area.

PHILLIPS: Well, it is obvious what an aggressive approach is taking to fight this fire. Barb Tmock, U.S. Forest Service, thank you very much.

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