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ArmyTimes.com
October 24, 2007 By Michelle Tan, Staff writer
At least five California Army National Guard units have been called to help local authorities fighting the devastating wildfires in the southern part of the state.
The units are 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment of Azusa; 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Modesto; 40th Special Troops Battalion, San Diego; 649th Military Police Company, San Luis Obispo; and 670th MP Company, National City.
These soldiers are providing security and safety, presence patrols, protecting civilians and property, and running checkpoints and road blocks, said Sgt. Kara Greene, a public affairs specialist for the California Guard.
In addition to the soldiers, the Guard is employing six UH-60 Black Hawks, two of which are Fire Hawks designed to fight fires, and two CH-47 Chinooks, Greene said. One Chinook and one Fire Hawk are from the Nevada Guard, she said.
As of Wednesday, more than 1,450 soldiers and 10 airmen had been called to help with the wildfires.
Their duties include firefighting, security, supporting law enforcement, transportation and medical care, according to the National Guard Bureau.
About 2,000 California Guard members are mobilized to support the war on terror, but about 17,000 more are available to help at home if needed, Greene said.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes as firefighters battle the wildfires. Strong winds and dry conditions have fueled the flames in what some media reports are calling the worst natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Katrina.
At least three people have been killed and 40 have been hurt by the disaster, CNN reported, and President Bush on Wednesday signed a major disaster declaration for the area, freeing up federal money to help local authorities and residents.
On Tuesday, media reports said the fires covered 384 square miles.
October 24, 2007 By Michelle Tan, Staff writer
At least five California Army National Guard units have been called to help local authorities fighting the devastating wildfires in the southern part of the state.
The units are 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment of Azusa; 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Modesto; 40th Special Troops Battalion, San Diego; 649th Military Police Company, San Luis Obispo; and 670th MP Company, National City.
These soldiers are providing security and safety, presence patrols, protecting civilians and property, and running checkpoints and road blocks, said Sgt. Kara Greene, a public affairs specialist for the California Guard.
In addition to the soldiers, the Guard is employing six UH-60 Black Hawks, two of which are Fire Hawks designed to fight fires, and two CH-47 Chinooks, Greene said. One Chinook and one Fire Hawk are from the Nevada Guard, she said.
As of Wednesday, more than 1,450 soldiers and 10 airmen had been called to help with the wildfires.
Their duties include firefighting, security, supporting law enforcement, transportation and medical care, according to the National Guard Bureau.
About 2,000 California Guard members are mobilized to support the war on terror, but about 17,000 more are available to help at home if needed, Greene said.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes as firefighters battle the wildfires. Strong winds and dry conditions have fueled the flames in what some media reports are calling the worst natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Katrina.
At least three people have been killed and 40 have been hurt by the disaster, CNN reported, and President Bush on Wednesday signed a major disaster declaration for the area, freeing up federal money to help local authorities and residents.
On Tuesday, media reports said the fires covered 384 square miles.