On the front lines: 800 National Guard troops join battle against raging wildfires

CHELAN, Wash. -- Some 800 National Guard troops have now joined the fight against Washington’s raging wildfires, with another 200 to be trained this week before heading to the front lines.

Major Gen. Bret D. Daugherty, commander of the Washington National Guard, said spirits remain high as his men and women battle intense conditions around the clock.

“I’m just heartened by the fact that morale is high,” he said, visiting soldiers at the First Creek Fire near Chelan. “These guys are totally committed to what they’re doing. They’ve trained hard to learn the skills, to earn the right to be out here fighting these fires. They’re really happy to be here, saving homes of our fellow citizens.”

Q13 FOX’s Brandi Kruse joined Daugherty as he toured three of the state’s largest wildfires from the air and ground.