Romney Should Explain To Colorado And New Mexico Why They Need Fewer Firefighters
Mitt Romney's claim that there are too many firefighters might sound awesome to crazy conservatives, but to the residents of Colorado and New Mexico, it might sound like he doesn't really care if their homes burn down. Via 9News.com in
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Mitt Romney's claim that there are too many firefighters might sound awesome to crazy conservatives, but to the residents of Colorado and New Mexico, it might sound like he doesn't really care if their homes burn down.
Via 9News.com in Colorado:
The High Park Fire is now at 36,930 acres and growing significantly, with zero percent containment. Larimer County says 400 personnel are fighting the blaze. Monday afternoon, officials said at least 100 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire.
According to Larimer County, flames lept 15 to 20 feet in the air, with some flames shooting 300 feet into the sky. Very dry brush, timber and grasses are providing the fuel for this fire.
What Larimer County is calling a "very aggressive" and "hard to fight" fire is growing at 20 to 40 feet a minute.
Larimer County officials say the lower temperatures, higher humidity levels and lower winds should help fire personnel to fight the fire. A number of air resources are battling the blaze, including five heavy-air tankers, five single-engine tankers and a few helicopters. Larimer County says two National Guard Blackhawks have been ordered, but only one is currently on the scene.
Larimer County says they are hoping at least 100 more personnel will join the fight by Monday night.
And in New Mexico, Governor Susana Martinez was ordering National Guard troops in to assist with fighting fires. Via Times-Union.com:
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez announced late Sunday that she was ordering an additional 100 National Guard troops to assist with evacuations. They will be dispatched to shelters or highways where people have to be turned back, Ruidoso spokeswoman Kerry Gladden said.
Military helicopters were also deployed to drop water at both fires in addition to air tankers dropping slurry.
Dan Ware, a spokesman for the New Mexico State Forestry Division, said the number of Ruidoso evacuees was in the hundreds, but he didn't have an exact figure. The nearby community of Capitan and others also could face evacuation, said Karen Takai, a spokeswoman for the Ruidoso fire crews.
The people of Colorado and New Mexico are losing their homes, their businesses, and their livelihood while they wait for National Guardsmen, and in Larimer County's case, 100 firefighters from outside their area to join the fight before these fires blow right through their entire state. This, while Mitt Romney claims the "message of Wisconsin" was people want fewer firefighters, police and teachers. Here. Watch it.