Massive blazes across dry West drain firefighting resources

CHELAN, Wash. — Wildfires around the Cascade Mountain resort town of Chelan have destroyed about 75 homes as authorities activated the military and sought international help to fight scores of growing blazes sweeping the dry West.

In Boise, the National Interagency Fire Center called in 200 active-duty military troops to help contain roughly 95 Western wildfires. It’s the first time the agency has mobilized the military for fire suppression efforts since 2006.

Rob Allen, deputy incident commander for the Chelan fires, says competition for firefighting resources is “fierce.”

The Washington National Guard joined the firefighting efforts there, helping 350 firefighters on one of the state’s most active fires on the southeastern slopes of Mount Adams.

Large blazes also are burning in Oregon and across the Northern Rockies.