Reply #: Louisiana sent 3 National Guard Blackhawks....

[Bridget Burke]

A firefighting crew from the Louisiana National Guard on Thursday headed to Texas to help with the ongoing battle against wildfires that have charred more than 100 homes and killed four in that state and Oklahoma.

Three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters rigged with firefighting water buckets departed Louisiana early Thursday for Grand Prairie, Texas, to help fight the fires which swept across nearly 20,000 acres in the two states.

"I am proud to send the very capable members and resources of the Louisiana National Guard to support our neighbors in Texas," said Gov. Kathleen Blanco in a news release. "The people of Texas and the Texas National Guard quickly came to Louisiana's aid when we needed it most. This support is one of the many ways we want to let our friends in Texas know that we will never forget their generosity to us."

www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051229/APN/512290826&cachetime=3&template=dateline

These fires are NOT a regular occurrence. The state has had a year of record drought. The unseasonably warm weather has been pleasant here in Houston, but hasn't helped. North Texas often has some snow or ice by this time. And high winds made things worse.