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PA crews battle western wildfires

HARRISBURG, PA — Wild fires are raging across the West and Pennsylvania is one of the states sending local firefighters to help. Two crews, with 20 firefi...

HARRISBURG, PA -- Wild fires are raging across the West and Pennsylvania is one of the states sending local firefighters to help.

Two crews, with 20 firefighters each, returned from Northern California Monday night, after 18 days fighting the fires and trying to save people's homes. They worked through smoke and ash, in difficult, rugged terrain.

"The toughest part is seeing the community and the need that's there, people are concerned for their homes and livelihoods," says Adam Kling, a firefighter from Duncannon, Perry County.

Fire crews are short staffed in many of the dangerous areas. Another crew will fly out Tuesday night to help with wildfires in Montana.

Firefighters also say the fires are worse than previous years, because the drought is feeding them. It's a crisis that could affect the rest of the country. If California sees another mild winter, produce prices may increase next year. The state is the top producer of many fruits and vegetables in the nation.

"It's serious for some people now out there, but it could be much more serious, and that could be impactful next year," says PA Farm Bureau spokesman Mark O'Neill of the drought.

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