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American Morning

Firefighters Battle California Wildfire

Aired May 29, 2001 - 11:09   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to talk about the fires in the West. In Susanville, California, dozens of people are on the run today from a raging forest fire. Flames have scorched at least 3,500 acres. Susanville is coated with soot and ashes. Authorities have evacuated 54 homes. About 1,000 firefighters are working to slow the fire's advance.

Helicopters are being used to drop water on the worst hot spots. The fire is about 35 percent contained. It started two days ago by a man shooting targets in the woods. Joining us on the phone right now with the latest is Barbara Massey. She is with the Susanville Interagency Fire Center.

Barbara, hello.

BARBARA MASSEY, SUSANVILLE INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER: Hello.

KAGAN: What can you tell us on the latest status on the fire and the evacuations?

MASSEY: The fire has grown to an estimated 4,100 acres. It is still 35 percent contained, with no estimate of containment or control.

Approximately, according to Sheriff Jarrell, approximately 300 people have been evacuated from the west side of Susanville. The fire is lapping up against the city. Yesterday it lapped up directly against a structure, and that structure was saved. To date, no structures have been lost. And we continue to have high winds with spotting and control problems.

KAGAN: So that is the good news, that no structures have been lost so far. But as I understand it, Barbara, this is the closest a fire has come to this town in quite some time.

MASSEY: That's correct. To the best of my knowledge, when I talk with folks that have lived here many, many years, this is the closest the fire has ever come to Susanville.

KAGAN: From everything that we are hearing in terms of conditions in the West, we are hearing experts say it could be even worse than last year.

MASSEY: I think what is significant is, we are not even to the end of May and we're seeing moisture levels and fire conditions that would be comparable to what we would see in late July, early August.

KAGAN: So does that mean folks need to take some precautions? We just reported, this story could have started by a man who was out having target practice in the woods. Do folks need to curtail some activities they might otherwise enjoy?

MASSEY: I would suggest that anyone who is working with fire in the woods or in forested or grassland areas be extremely cautious this year. Certainly, attend those fires -- and when those fires are through, to thoroughly put them out until they feel cold.

KAGAN: Barbara Massey, with the Susanville Interagency Fire Center, thank you so much for that latest information. Good luck with getting that situation under control in California.

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