Soldiers battle US blazes

More help arrives to fight the fires

Hundreds of soldiers are being mobilised in the United States to fight forest fires burning in nine western states.

We are really at the mercy of Mother Nature

Mike Dombeck, head of US Forest Service

Some 500 troops and 200 Canadian firefighters will reinforce thousands of beleaguered US firefighters, according to the US Forest Service head, Mike Dombeck.

US officials said the area destroyed by fires so far this year was the worst for 50 years.

Between 60 and 70 large fires are reported to be still alight. They extend from the northern state of Montana to New Mexico in the south.

Further blazes forecast

US Fire Figures

62,000 wildfires reported

1.5 million hectares scorched

More than 20,000 firefighters mobilised

700 fire engines, 150 aircraft deployed

$15m a day to contain the fires

In all, nearly 62,000 wildfires have been reported across the United States this year, scorching nearly 1.5 million hectares.

The blazes have destroyed vast areas of land, darkened the skies with smoke and the bill for dealing with the fires is running at $15m a day..

Idaho, Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming are the worst affected states. Utah and Washington have also suffered the consequences of the fires.

Urban areas near the fires are beginning to feel the effects: eye-burning smoke, closed roads, and low visibility that prevents commercial planes from landing.

More homes are now threatened, and evacuation orders have been issued near three fires in the state of Montana, according to Michelle Barret of the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).

The fires have been blamed for at least five civilian deaths, and have forced the evacuations of hundreds of people from their homes.

Canada has provided aircraft and crew, and Australian is sending experts to the NIFC in Boise, Idaho.

Tinderbox conditions

Mexico has been alerted and could also be asked for assistance.

The fire has consumed large areas of forest

Many private citizens are also calling the NIFC offering help, though untrained volunteers are not accepted on fire crews.

August is traditionally the worst month for wildfires, which are a natural part of the ecosystems of the western US.

The current combination of high temperatures, low humidity and lightning unaccompanied by rain create perfect conditions for them.

Forecasters say the kind of break in the weather needed to change the west's tinderbox conditions may not occur until October.