wildfires

[briannell]

we're having some bads ones in WA too. hope everyone is safe, and losses are kept to a minimal.

-rebecca


Wildfires Close Montana's Interstate 90 52 minutes ago



A string of fires forced the closure of a 90-mile stretch of highway, and authorities cited a quick response by emergency crews for protecting nearby towns.

About a dozen fires broke out Thursday along Interstate 90 in western Montana, closing the four-lane road from Missoula to the Idaho line, officials said. The road remained closed early Friday after at least 1,000 acres along the highway burned — at times on both sides of the road.

Officials said they were investigating arson or possibly a vehicle dragging something that emitted sparks.

"This absolutely wasn't an act of God," fire spokesman Scott Waldron said Thursday.

Thursday evening, a steady stream of helicopters swooped down on the Clark Fork River, filling 500-gallon buckets and flying off to hot spots. Planes also had dropped 18 loads of retardant, authorities said.

Some residents were evacuated near Alberton.

Sharon Sweeney, a spokeswoman with the Lolo National Forest, said flames burned within inches of numerous homes, but firefighters were able to save all but one building, believed to have been a shop or garage.

There were no reports of injuries and no other immediate reports of any significant damage, she said.

All but four fires were contained by Friday.

On average, more than 7,000 vehicles pass through the St. Regis area on I-90 each day, officials said. Traffic was rerouted to other roads.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer had declared an emergency for wildfire danger Thursday because of current bone-dry conditions and forecasts for continued hot, dry weather.

"We will pray for rain and prepare for the worst," he said.

In Washington, firefighters appeared to gain better control of a handful of blazes around the state Thursday, including a nearly 1,000-acre fire that had forced the evacuation of residents near Lake Wenatchee earlier in the week.

"As long as the weather continues to cooperate, I think we have a good handle on this one," said Ranger Vaughan Marable of the Wenatchee River Ranger District.

Some homes remained under an evacuation alert, meaning residents could be asked to leave at a moment's notice.

___

On the Net:

National Interagency Fire Center: http://www.nifc.gov/



Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten

[mslacat]

we're having some bads ones in WA too. hope everyone is safe, and losses are kept to a minimal.

-rebecca


Wildfires Close Montana's Interstate 90 52 minutes ago



A string of fires forced the closure of a 90-mile stretch of highway, and authorities cited a quick response by emergency crews for protecting nearby towns.

About a dozen fires broke out Thursday along Interstate 90 in western Montana, closing the four-lane road from Missoula to the Idaho line, officials said. The road remained closed early Friday after at least 1,000 acres along the highway burned — at times on both sides of the road.

Officials said they were investigating arson or possibly a vehicle dragging something that emitted sparks.

"This absolutely wasn't an act of God," fire spokesman Scott Waldron said Thursday.

Thursday evening, a steady stream of helicopters swooped down on the Clark Fork River, filling 500-gallon buckets and flying off to hot spots. Planes also had dropped 18 loads of retardant, authorities said.

Some residents were evacuated near Alberton.

Sharon Sweeney, a spokeswoman with the Lolo National Forest, said flames burned within inches of numerous homes, but firefighters were able to save all but one building, believed to have been a shop or garage.

There were no reports of injuries and no other immediate reports of any significant damage, she said.

All but four fires were contained by Friday.

On average, more than 7,000 vehicles pass through the St. Regis area on I-90 each day, officials said. Traffic was rerouted to other roads.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer had declared an emergency for wildfire danger Thursday because of current bone-dry conditions and forecasts for continued hot, dry weather.

"We will pray for rain and prepare for the worst," he said.

In Washington, firefighters appeared to gain better control of a handful of blazes around the state Thursday, including a nearly 1,000-acre fire that had forced the evacuation of residents near Lake Wenatchee earlier in the week.

"As long as the weather continues to cooperate, I think we have a good handle on this one," said Ranger Vaughan Marable of the Wenatchee River Ranger District.

Some homes remained under an evacuation alert, meaning residents could be asked to leave at a moment's notice.

___

On the Net:

National Interagency Fire Center: http://www.nifc.gov/



Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten

I have to take a 9 year old to Spokane on Sunday to have a plate removed from His leg/hip. I really, really hope the interstate is open by Tuesday when we are on our way back. Putting my son through 2 hours more of travel time on bumpy side-roads, after surgery, is not a rosey prospect.

[briannell]

Mslacat - what hospital? I ask because we're a Children's family. hope it goes well.

-rebecca

[mslacat]

Mslacat - what hospital? I ask because we're a Children's family. hope it goes well.

-rebecca

Shriners Hospital. It will be our first time at the Shriners Hospital in Spokane. His previuos surgeries have all been in Missoula, but our childrens orthepedic specialist was offered a high paying job at Shiners in Minnesota so now we are having to go out of state to see a specialist. My sons hip condition is one of those things doctors keep saying " I've read about this type of thing but never seen one" so we have to go to specilists with both a back ground in orthepedic, and children growth patterns.

He is a great trooper though!!

[briannell]

Mslacat,


well, all i can say is hang in there! we've split our time on hematology/onocology, heart center and in immunology. still go back and forth to Children's for heart and hematology. toughest people I've ever met were the cancer patients we shared a wing with. hardest thing I've seen (besides Anessa) was an 8 mth old waiting for bone marrow transplant, but taking chemo until that point. or the sweet 4 year old boy across the hall that finally passed away. there's a wail only a mother makes when their baby passes away and i still haven't forgotten that sound yet. truly blessed for Anessa's life, shouldn't be here for me BUT God showed mercy.

I know Shriner's is great in CA, been a long time supporter of them and children's hospital in Oakland, CA. these docs really work miracles, they are wonderful. best of luck to you and your family.

-rebecca