Local Firefighters Battle Blazes in the West

Firefighting specialists from the Emporium-based Elk State Forest have been dispatched to help battle blazes in the west. This summer, Don Weis and Bill Maiers (front row) were sent to Wyoming to help out on the Horse Creek Fire. Jason Ditty, Dave Mong and Robert Dowie did two weeks of duty at the Dakota Hill Fire in Utah. Later, Mike Simon, Robert Burrows, Joe Newell, Clark Barber, and Robert Dowie did two weeks on the Meadow Toe Fire in Tennessee. "These firefighters risk their lives to save forest lands, homes and lives," said Jeanne Wambaugh from the Elk State Forest. Fire prevention information is available from the local office at 486-3353.