CHEROKEE Nation Fire Dancers called up to help fight forest fires

Monday, August 20th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma Cherokee Nation firefighters, called Fire Dancers headed west, to battle raging wildfires. The Fire Dancers first went to Fort Smith, Arkansas to get their gear ready. They flew out to either Oregon or Washington State Monday morning.

They'll be joining firefighters from across the country, also working to contain fires threatening homes and land.

Cherokee Nation â€˜Fire Dancersâ€™ are trained forest firefighters, used by the National Forest Service. Each year, Cherokee "Fire Dancers" spend anywhere from 40 to 60 days fighting forest fires throughout the country.

Cherokee Nation officials say they still have another 100 â€˜Fire Dancersâ€™ on standby if the National Forest Service needs more help.