Michigan lends aid to Western states battling wildfires

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — More than a dozen personnel with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are helping battle wildfires in the West.

The DNR says a three-member crew has taken one of the agency's engines to a fire in northern California that has burned more than 100,000 acres and caused six deaths.

Dan Laux of the Forest Resources Division says Michigan is mobilizing as many people as it can to help. He recently returned from a two-week assignment in Oregon.

Michigan has sent firefighters this year to California, Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

Officials say the DNR keeps enough of its team members on hand to deal with fires that might break out, although recent rains have reduced their numbers in Michigan.

The state is reimbursed for sending firefighters elsewhere.

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