Lack of troops to fight fires?
The war against terrorism means fewer National Guard troops may be available to fight wildfires in the drought-stricken Pacific Northwest this summer, state and Defense Department officials say.
National Guard troops help during major wildfires, but nearly 60% of Montana’s troops are in Iraq, all the Oregon National Guard’s Chinook helicopters are in Afghanistan, and 40% of Idaho’s 4,300 troops are deployed overseas, state officials say.
Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer recently asked that all the state’s guard troops be returned to fight fires. Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told the governor not to expect the soldiers back in time, he said guard troops from other states could fill in.
Oregon forestry spokesman Rod Nichols says it’s “pretty doubtful” guard troops will be able to help fight fires this year. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, says it could recruit firefighters from other countries.
The Northwest, suffering through its worst drought in 28 years, is bracing for a severe fire season.
-- Scott Doggett
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