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TAHLEQUAH, OK - Early last week, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) dispatched thirty-six firefighters to the Sequoia National Forest. They are fighting a fire that is approximately 15 miles northeast of Kernville, Calif. in the Dome Land Wilderness. Low relative humidity, shifting winds and lack of resources are deterring containment efforts. As of Thursday evening, July 27, the fire was at 10,146 acres and growing. Two Cherokee fire crews, two Kiowa fire crews and a Chickasaw fire crew are working fireline construction. Crew morale is good and there are no injuries reported from the Native American Crews.

The CNO also dispatched another crew of eighteen firefighters to Missoula, Montana. Cherokee Crew #71 will be on initial attack and working 12-hour days. They are reporting hot and dry weather conditions.

"It looks like it's going to be really dry out west", said Paul Washington, who coordinates the Cherokee firefighters. "That means a busy summer for us."