Text Only
Search

International Crews Helping Fight California Fires

13 July 2008

Firefighters who have been battling wildfires in the western state of California for weeks are receiving some help from abroad.

Federal officials say firefighters from Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and Greece are coming to assist exhausted U.S. firefighters.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered 2,000 more National Guard troops to join 400 soldiers already participating in firefighting efforts.

In one of the largest fires, police in the northern part of the state say they found the body of one person killed in a fire.  They say the victim likely defied evacuation orders, which affected some 10,000 people in the town of Paradise and in surrounding areas.

State officials say wildfires have burned more than 320,000 hectares of land, and have destroyed 100 homes since June 20.

U.S. President George Bush has announced plans to visit some of the damaged areas.

Nearly two-thousand fires have broken out in the state since June 20.  Many of the blazes are attributed to lightning.

Last year, fires destroyed more than 200,000 hectares and about 2,000 homes in California.

Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

 

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
Most Dangerous California Fires Partially Contained
 
  Top Story
Bomb Rocks Northwestern Pakistan

  More Stories
Obama to Visit Families of Fort Hood Shooting Victims
Obama to Address Human Rights on Debut Trip to Asia
North Korea Demands Apology After Naval Clash with South
British PM Defends Military Mission in Afghanistan  Audio Clip Available
Tropical Storm Ida Hits US Gulf Coast
Asia to Welcome President Obama  Video clip available
APEC Marks 20 Years, Looks to Future of Regional Trade  Audio Clip Available
APEC Economies Report Improved Trade Finance, Discuss Free Trade  Audio Clip Available
Clinton Urges 'Compassion' for Americans Detained in Iran  Audio Clip Available
Joy, Caution Mark Berlin Wall Celebration  Audio Clip Available
World War II Museum Expansion Aims at Younger Generations  Audio Clip Available  Video clip available
Scientists Report Abnormal Sea Level Rises Off Western Australia  Audio Clip Available