Related To Story
CALIFORNIA FIRES Video: Guard Troops Deploy Locations: Current Fires Resource: Be Prepared Terms: A-Z Guide Fact Sheet: Deadliest U.S. Wildfires More Fire Coverage |
Guard Heads Out To Fight Blazes
Governor Orders Soldiers To Help Weary Firefighters
POSTED: 5:59 am PDT July 7,
2008
UPDATED: 8:31 am PDT July 7,
2008
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. -- The first wave of National Guard troops was sent Monday to help firefighters battle ongoing California blazes.Soldiers loaded up their gear at McClellan Air Park after a crash course in firefighting in recent days. They were headed for Mendocino County.The Guard was called up by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
National Guard Capt. Jonathan Shiroma said soldiers are flexible and are adapting to their new job of backing up weary fire crews stretched to the limit by a recent string of blazes burning around the state."They're doing really well," he said.The troops are expected to help out for two to three weeks and maybe longer."The soldiers were told to kind of be prepared to be deployed for up to a month," Shiroma added.More troops are set to arrive at McClellan Air Park on Tuesday to undergo fire training.
|
|
Copyright 2008 by KCRA.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
