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Firefighters in Montana Finally Get Some Fresh Manpower

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Fires are still burning in the South and Northwestern United States right now. A total of 82 large blazes are burning in 11 states, consuming more than 1.6 million acres. In Texas, 19 fires are being fueled by drought conditions and temperatures topping 100 degrees. Meantime, firefighters in Northwestern states are getting some much needed relief, finally, in the form of rain, snow, and fresh manpower.

With more on that, CNN's Jim Hill.

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JIM HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Down came the flag of North Carolina, as 70 firefighters from the Mid-Atlantic state packed for home, making way for replacements after 18 days on the firelines.

WILLIAM CRAINE, FIREFIGHTER: We're excited about it. I think we're leaving Montana in pretty good shape with the rain that we've had and the hard work that's been done.

HILL: It was the same with a group of Canadian firefighters from Manitoba, breaking camp after battling the Skalkaho complex of blazes outside Hamilton, Montana.

ANDREW RAMPL, FIREFIGHTER: Well, this is the first time Canada or Manitoba has ever been here. It's kind of like we're ambassadors.

HILL: Forty miles away in Missoula, a demobilization and reassignment camp has been set up. Firefighters from the rash of Western blazes come here to get the marching orders to a new fire, or to be sent home.

(on camera): Some of the firefighters in this camp have been on the go since May, assigned to blaze after blaze with little rest in between.

DAVID SLAGH, FIREFIGHTER: As soon as we hear a word, we'll find out where we're going. Pretty much we're just kind of hanging out, waiting for our call.

HILL (voice-over): The fires in southwestern Montana have been burning since the end of July, and the major ones are not yet contained. Cool, wet weather, even a dusting of snow on the higher peaks have replaced the hot, dry conditions that hung over this area for months. Fire bosses say, under these conditions there is little chance the fires will spread, break away from the flaming runs that were so common just a week ago.

Although open flames are hard to find, smoldering roots can still burn beneath the ground, sparking new fires if and when hot, dry weather returns. So as new firefighters replace those who are leaving, they're well aware that the worst U.S. fire season in more than 50 years is not over yet.

Jim Hill, CNN, Hamilton, Montana.

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