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American Morning

In Oroville, Firefighters Scrambling to Protect Homes in Path of Fresh Flames

Aired September 07, 2001 - 11:00   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: We turn our attention right now to the West, where that glow on the horizon may not be the sunrise. The region there is still under a wildfire blitz, particularly Northern California. In Oroville, north of Sacramento, firefighters are scrambling to protect homes in the path of fresh flames that have already destroyed at least 16 houses. Farther south, an 1,800-acre blaze was just 10 percent contained last night. The so-called Darby Fire has threatened hundreds of homes.

But back to Oroville now, where about 500 firefighters are doing battle with what's been dubbed the Poe Fire. The fire doubled in size to 3,000 acres, thanks to some winds that kicked up overnight. About 200 homes and other structures have been evacuated.

Joining us now to give us an update on all of that is Randy Lyle, with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and Randy is joining us now on the telephone.

Can you give us latest situation on that Poe fire now?

RANDY LYLE, DEPT. OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION: Yes, good morning.

Right now, the fire is being influenced by topography and strong north winds. There is a great deal of down-canyon winds influencing the fire. It's on both sides of highway 70. And it's on its way, if you will, to Lake Oroville and could conceivably cross Lake Oroville and the Feather Canyon.

HARRIS: How many homes threatened by this if it makes that way?

LYLE: Oh, that's a good question. Probably in the hundreds if it were to go that far.

HARRIS: Are there plan right now for evacuations of any more people?

LYLE: The evacuations are currently in place right now. I'm not sure if there are plans for other evacuations.

HARRIS: How are you situated right now with forces and resources? LYLE: Resources are continuing to come to the fire. There's some still on the road and more being ordered. Fortunately, many of the other fires are being caught and resources are being freed up from them, and there of course being redeployed to the Poe fire.

HARRIS: All right, Randy Lyle, thank you very much, and good luck to you. We'll check back with you folks later on.

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