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Firefighting air tankers are siting idle at a California airport, grounded by the Obama administration Nearly half of the federal government’s firefighting air tankers are siting idle at a California airport, grounded by the Obama administration in a contract dispute just weeks before wildfires swept through Texas killing a mother and her child, and destroying 100,000 acres. The massive blazes forced Texas Gov. and Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry to abruptly call off a campaign appearance in South Carolina earlier this week to respond to the crisis, and may force him to cancel his first debate appearance Wednesday night....

Nearly half of the federal government’s firefighting air tankers are siting idle at a California airport, grounded by the Obama administration in a contract dispute just weeks before wildfires swept through Texas killing a mother and her child, and destroying 100,000 acres. The massive blazes forced Texas Gov. and Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry​ to abruptly call off a campaign appearance in South Carolina earlier this week to respond to the crisis, and may force him to cancel his first debate appearance Wednesday night. The U.S. Forest Service terminated the contract with Aero Union five weeks ago to operate...

Reporting from Bastrop, Texas, and Los Angeles— Out-of-control wildfires — among the worst in state history — leaped across Texas' parched midsection, destroying 1,000 homes and killing four as firefighters called for more resources and the governor, a Republican presidential hopeful who's made his mark blasting federal spending, asked Washington for help. Winds were expected to abate, but only slightly, and the dry conditions will persist for days. Gov. Rick Perry complained about the slow pace of assistance from Washington and Ft. Hood as Federal Emergency Management Agency officials arrived in Bastrop, where 600 houses were burned, to survey fire...

BASTROP — Firefighting-trained volunteers from around the state converged on Bastrop and Smithville Tuesday to lend a hand to the beleaguered local firefighters battling the Bastrop County Complex Fire — only to be sent away as federal officials arrived at the scene and took command, apparently because local officials never made a formal request for volunteers. “We were at the station getting set up into strike teams, and this guy came up and said that the U.S. Forest Service had ‘assumed control of the situation, and that ‘If you don’t have a vehicle that squirts water, go home,’” said Gordon...

HOUSTON -- At the moment, Rick Perry's camp confirms the governor still plans to participate in Wednesday night's GOP debate in California. The governor's campaign just released his schedule showing two events in California after the debate. It appears he will leave the wildfires to appear Wednesday night in California and will continue on with planned fundraisers Thursday and Friday. It appears his brief break from campaigning hasn't hurt.

http://ticc.tamu.edu/Response/FireActivity/default.aspx map of all the active wildfires in Texas

Wildfire Update – Sept. 5, 2011 Current situation: · Texas Forest Service responded yesterday to 63 new fires that burned 32,936 acres, including 22 new large fires. · Strong winds and low relative humidity from Tropical Storm Lee caused numerous wildfires to spread rapidly yesterday. Additional National Guard Blackhawk helicopters and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams, as well as a heavy airtanker from South Dakota were mobilized Sunday to assist with the large number of fires. Weather conditions are expected to reach critical levels again today. · Texas Forest Service has dozens of aircraft ready to...

Texas Governor Rick Perry provided a glimpse of the kind of president he might be when he skipped the chance to participate in a nationally televised political forum to do his job. Mr. Perry was slated to appear with other GOP presidential contenders at Senator Jim DeMint's (R-South Carolina) Palmetto Freedom Forum on Labor Day, but instead he rushed back to work as a roaring wildfire raced across Central Texas.

BASTROP, Texas (AP) — A roaring wildfire raced through rain-starved farm and ranchland in Central Texas on Monday, destroying nearly 500 homes during a rapid advance that was fanned in part by howling winds from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.

(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry will not attend the Palmetto Freedom Forum of GOP candidates Monday night, sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint, and will instead return to Texas to deal with the wildfires in the state, DeMint's office told CNN.

HESPERIA, Calif. (KABC) -- Mandatory evacuations have been issued after a fast-moving brush fire in the Cajon Pass threatened homes in the area Friday. U.S. Forest Service Spokesman John Miller said the blaze began at about 12:30 p.m. The fire had grown to 800 acres by 4 p.m.

Do you believe Sheriff Larry Dever and Senator John McCain are correct in blaming the wildfires burning in Arizona on illegal immigrants? Yes No Undecided

<p>"There is substantial evidence that some of these fires have been caused by people who have crossed our border illegally," McCain, R-Arizona, said Saturday at a press conference. "The answer to that part of the problem is to get a secure border."</p>

PHOENIX, June 19 (UPI) -- Illegal immigrants from Mexico are responsible for starting some of the huge wildfires in Arizona, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., alleges. At a Phoenix news conference, the right-wing senator claimed illegal immigrants light fires in the wilderness for warmth, to send signals and to distract border agents, CNN said. "There is substantial evidence that some of these fires have been caused by people who have crossed our border illegally," McCain said. "The answer to that part of the problem is to get a secure border." However, he offered no evidence to substantiate his claim.

Massive wildfires in Arizona continue to grow, burning at least 192, 000 acres of timber and brush, and prompting evacuations most recently in the town of Greer. The fires sent smoke into skies visible from 200 miles away. Residents in White Mountain community of Alpine in eastern Arizona near the New Mexico border were also ordered earlier to evacuate as the fire neared.

Federal employees started one of the devastating fires in West Texas recently but, the Obama Administration still won’t declare the region a disaster area despite the fact that 2.5 million acres have been burned. ... The Obama Administration sent aid to Mexico to battle a 386 square mile fire but refused to consider the 2.5 million acre fire in Texas a disaster area. ... Since the beginning of wildfire season, local and state firefighters have responded to more than 9,000 fires that have destroyed more than 400 homes and burned more than 2.5 million acres, an area the size of...

Just last month the U.S. sent two Air force cargo planes to help Mexico battle back wildfires in the northern part of it's country, fires that burned 386 square miles. It's a move that West Texas Congressman Francisco Canseco (R-Fort Stockton) thinks is a hypocritical one by the Obama administration as Texas has requested the same sort of federal aid but has been denied it. "386 square miles pales with the 2.5 million acres of land that have been burned and scorched beyond recognition," says Canseco. And Former FEMA Director Michael Brown thinks that a "snub" like this reeks of...

In case you’ve missed it, Texas has seen about 3,400 square miles of land — an area about the size of Puerto Rico — destroyed by wildfires. Pres. Barack Obama hit Texas to do some political fund-raising and give some speeches about immigration; Gov. Rick Perry suggested that he take a gubernatorially guided tour of some of the damage. The president couldn’t be bothered, but asked the governor to come to El Paso to act as a prop at a political event. Governor Perry declined. Governor Perry often complains that the federal government simultaneously fails to do its real work...

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry has appealed to President Barack Obama to declare the state a major disaster area as wildfires strike or threaten all but two of the state's 254 counties. A statement issued Sunday by Perry requested the aid in a letter dispatched Saturday afternoon. Perry's office says more than 7,800 fires across the states have charred more than 1.5 million acres - about 2,400 square miles - while burning 244 homes and threatening more than 8,500 others. .."major disaster declaration" would make the state eligible for help in responding to and recovering from the emergency.

Latest Updates on West Texas Fires Large fires continue to burn out of control near Fort Davis and Alpine. Midland residents have returned home after a large fire burned Saturday evening near FM 1788..... In true West Texas fashion, many of (West Texans) have been asking how (they) can help victims of wildfires in Midland and Fort Davis.