Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


California Firefighters 'Taxed to the Limit' Seeking Help

Associated Press

   SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA - More than two dozen major fires were scorching
   California on Thursday and taxing the state's firefighting capacity,
   sparked by an unprecedented lightning siege that dropped nearly 11,000
   strikes over several days.

   The fires have destroyed 175 structures, including homes, and are
   threatening 50,000 more, said Daniel Berlant, an assistant deputy
   director with the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. In
   all, 33 civilians and firefighters have been injured.

   Most of the activity is in Northern California, where fires have chewed
   through nearly 500 square miles (1,250 square kilometers) of brush
   land, rural areas, canyon country and dense forest surrounding San
   Francisco.

.