Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Aug 14/00) - Extreme fire conditions in the United States has them calling on resources from the North.

The western states are experiencing some of the worst fire conditions in the last 15 years -- close to 64,000 fires and 1.6 million hectares of land affected.

Therefore Northern resources have been sent to their aid and arrived in Missoula, Mont. on Aug. 8.

"They've had 290 fires reported in 24 hours and that's about the total number we see in a season," said Bea Lepine, director for forest management services, from her office in Fort Smith.

"What they needed was well-trained, experienced and knowledgeable crews because the conditions are hazardous."

The last time Canada sent fire crews to the U.S. was in 1988 when aircraft personnel were sent.

This time a 100-person initial-attack team is also on its way south, including 21 personnel from the NWT.

The GNWT has also sent two DC-4 tanker groups -- two tankers, two bird dog planes and a 12-member contingent of pilots.

"We very seldom get called to the States," said Joe McBryan, owner of Buffalo Airways which is being contracted for the effort.

"We'll probably be there a couple of weeks."

Initial-attack personnel come from GNWT forest fire fighting contractors in Hay River, Fort Simpson, Fort Providence and the Dogrib region.

All will work to extinguish fires in the northern Rocky Mountain areas and 11 western states.

"I went on the last exchange," said Lepine.

"It's an opportunity to work in a unique environment and interact with fire fighters from other countries. I think there's always benefits to that sort of thing."

Lepine said Northern fire personnel are able to assist in this effort since there has been a decrease in fire danger in the Northwest Territories.

Although there are still a few weeks left until the official end of the fire season, the short-range forecast calls for temperatures below seasonal norms.

Fire teams from British Columbia and Saskatchewan are also taking part.