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American Morning

Firefighters Fight Wildfires In Western States

Aired August 20, 2001 - 09:03   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: Let's go out to the firefighting area out there. For that we head way out West this morning.

And CNN's Lilian Kim is on the scene near Leavenworth, Washington, which is where crews are making some progress against a major fire there.

Good morning, Lilian.

LILIAN KIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon. Nearly 30,000 firefighters are gearing up for another day of battle blazes across 10 Western states, and more are on their way.

Here in Leavenworth, Washington, crews are making progress, but there's still a lot of work ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): They've come from all over the U.S. to fight flames that have blackened much of the West. Days are long, the labor intense, but firefighters are ready for more.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ready for a good hike.

KIM: So far, 6900 acres have burned near Leavenworth, Washington. Flames have yet to reach any homes, but a burned out vehicle and melted metal stand as a reminder of the fire's wrath.

With cooler temperatures and higher humidity, firefighters are gaining ground. Crews are busy constructing a containment line and dousing remaining hot spots.

ANTHONY MARTINEZ, FIREFIGHTER: I'm not too worried about it. The fire's calmed way down. The more scary part is when it crowns over the trees. Right now, it's settled down quite a bit since yesterday.

KIM: This is just one of 35 fires burning throughout the West, 800,000 acres total. In California, flames are erupting in the northern part of the state. Fire is kicking up in Utah as well. And in Oregon, the battle continues.

While the situation is improving in Washington state, firefighters know conditions can change at any time. What they're worried about most: Gusty winds that could quickly flare up a smoldering fire.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know as it's been, it's been really erratic. And we've been doing what we can with what we have.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KIM: Despite progress being made by firefighters here in Washington, evacuation orders remain in effect. Sixty eight homes total here in Leavenworth. Now rain is in the forecast, wet weather could come as early as tomorrow.

Reporting live from Leavenworth, Washington, I'm Lilian Kim. Leon, back to you.

HARRIS: Lilian, do you know whether or not they're going to pull off on their call for more firefighters to come into that area now that they are getting some help from the weather?

KIM: Well, at this fire here in Leavenworth, Washington, they are calling for reinforcements. Two hundred firefighters could come as early as today to help the rest of the crews who have been out here for days now.

HARRIS: All right, good deal. Thanks Lilian, we'll keep our eye on that. Lilian Kim reporting live this morning, from Leavenworth.

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