Скачать или смотреть USA: FLORIDA: FIRE CREWS FROM 40 STATES HELP FIGHT WILDFIRES

(5 Jul 1998) English/Nat

Fire fighters from 41 states have gathered to help put out fires which have ravaged Central Florida for the past month.

Since the fires started more than 450 thousand acres (1-hundred 80-thousand hectares) of land has been destroyed.

In Flagler County, firemen have been damping down the most recent blaze sites - in an effort to prevent flare-ups.

About 93,000 acres have burned in Flagler County, Florida during the past month.

Local authorities evacuated residents on July 3, preventing families from celebrating Independence Day at their homes.

For fire crews from more than 40 states, Saturday was no holiday.

While the area may look relatively safe on the surface, the charred land is still smouldering, and could flare up at any time.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"When the wind picks up, all this stuff re-ignites. It gets fresh air, it gets forced air on it, it'll blow back up."
SUPER CAPTION: Charles McGinley, District Chief -Largo Fire and Rescue

The fires have displaced hundreds of people.

Many have had to move from their homes at very short notice.

SOUNDBITE:
"Well, they gave us five minutes to get some stuff and get out. We got a little bit of stuff, but not much, just clothes and a couple of toys for the kids and we had to go."
SUPER CAPTION: Sam Johnson, refugee

Local high schools have been acting as refugee centres.

SOUNDBITE:(English)
"It started here on Wednesday night, probably about 4 o'clock set up and at 6 o'clock people started rolling in. we had about 250+ that night and each night up until tonight we've had 200 in here. Tonight I think we're going to have 172"
SUPER CAPTION: Ron Pagano, Principal

Recent weather reports say that help could be on the way for the fire squads.

A storm churning in the Gulf of Mexico may bring rain by the middle of the week.

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