Sen. Reid will seek federal aid for Nevadans hit by wild fires

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RENO, Nev. - Sen. Harry Reid said he will ask the Clinton administration for federal assistance for Nevada ranchers affected by wild fires, especially those who saw their federal grazing allotments go up in smoke.

Reid, the Senate Democratic whip, said he was thankful no one was killed but he believes the state is facing millions of dollars of damage as a result of the fires that burned 1 million acres of range land.

More than 400,000 acres burned in Eureka County alone, he said.

"This is the worst wildfire season Nevada has seen in years," Reid said.

"This is definitely going to have an impact on those Nevadans who rely on our rangelands for cattle grazing and other industries," he said.

Hardest hit are likely to be ranchers with federal grazing permits, he said. They may need some disaster relief to feed the herds that usually graze on the charred federal land.

In addition, Reid said Nevada may need some federal help to reseed areas and replace road signs, cattle guards and other erosion control devices.

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn has scheduled a meeting for Thursday with officials from the five hardest-hit counties - Eureka, Humboldt, Pershing, Lander and Elko.

His spokesman Jack Finn said on Friday it was likely that the governor would eventually declare a state of emergency necessary to trigger federal disaster money.

Reid and Guinn both praised the efforts of fire crews in battling the blazes.

"These men and women risk their lives each time they are out there fighting fires. As Nevadans, we owe them our gratitude and without their efforts we would be facing even greater devastation as a result of these wildfires," Reid said

"Their bravery is to be commended."

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