EVeryday heroes take two

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - About 200 out-of-state firefighters and support personnel have arrived in Oklahoma within the past week to help fire crews battle grass fires across the state. ...
Most of the out-of-state firefighters volunteered to come to Oklahoma. Many will stay for at least two weeks; most have left families behind. Boone has gone several times to other states to fight fires, but this is the first time he's been in Oklahoma. Lovett said this is his first out-of-state trip to fight fires. He said it was difficult to leave his family. "They hated to see me go but they understand that I come out here to help because it's always something I wanted to do," he said. North Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee have sent 60 firefighters, 12 fire pumpers and 14 bulldozers. Florida is planning to send up to six support workers. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has sent 170 firefighters and other workers. Up to 60 are from Oklahoma firefighting units; the rest are from out of state, said Forrest Blackbear with the BIA fire management team. The BIA also is in command of 42 fire pumpers, three bulldozers and five aircraft tankers. Blackbear, of Hot Springs, Ark., said most of the BIA fire teams will stay until rain falls.