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CNN Live Today

Firefighters and Military Combat Western Wildfires

Aired August 17, 2001 - 12:05   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Out west now, some much-needed reinforcement heading to the front lines today to help weary firefighters who have been battling raging wildfires. Dozens of fires now are turning across eight western states. Combined, they have consumed more than half-a-million acres.

Hundreds of soldiers and marines will be joining some 20,000 firefighters who are already at work. State prisoners in Washington even have been deployed to help reign in these flames.

The state hardest hit is Oregon. One of the largest fires is burning in Ruch, I believe it is, and that's is where we find CNN's Gina London. Gina?

GINA LONDON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Leon. Well actually they pronounce it out here, in this little town, Ruch. So, who knows. But at any rate, it's a very nice community. people have been very warm.

This is a Community within a community, if you will. I'm at the base camp for the fighters of the Quartz fire. There's a lot of activity going on here. As you can see over my shoulder, if we can kind of move in a little bit, that is the center for all the distribution of supplies, the equipment that the firefighters use.

Now there are 2300 firefighters and support staff here at this base camp. They're not just working, many of them are living here as well. Across the street, along the river bank there are a series of tents and campers where they are staying. Of course, all of the people here in this base camp, one goal in mind: that's to fight fire.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Combating fatigue as much as fire, the battle goes on today through much of the west. Reinforcement's are on the way for some exhausted firefighters. Military battalions from North Carolina and Washington state of at least 800 soldiers on alert to be sent in within a week.

GOV. JOHN KITZHABER, OREGON: But this front that's coming through, although it's going to be cooler, is going to bring wind with it. Then we expect more dry lightning strikes this weekend. So at this point we're OK. But it could get out of control.

LONDON (voice-over): Of the 10 states now waging wildfire wars, Oregon is hardest hit. 11 major fires there have scorched nearly 300,000 acres, hot winds blowing at least within just a few miles of a city limit.

National guard members from around the state have been trained, hundreds join the fight in earnest today.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Excellent thing to do to help out the people who are in strife and to help the brave souls who have been out there for three and a half months already fighting the fires, to maybe get a chance to get out there and give them some relief.

LONDON (voice-over): And across the rest of the fire-torn states, crews struggle to continue their grueling pace. Work goes around the clock, many on 14 to 16 hour shifts in efforts to contain each raging blaze.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fatigue on the fireline is one of our number one concerns, especially when we're getting into this phase of the fire. The crews are going to -- the fatigue is going to be a major factor.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LONDON (on camera): The director, though, here at this base camp does tell us that the much-needed reinforcements for this particular group here is on its way. That's those national guards men and women, and they are coming here in waves throughout the day, then they're going to be working out as long as three weeks if are needed here in this area.

When it's all said and done, Leon, there will be 300 additional men and women from the national guard here.

HARRIS: I know those folks can't wait to see them get there. Gina London, thanks much, reporting from Ruch, Oregon.

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