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Today's paper. Last Updated: 05/30/2012

Thanks but No Thanks

LEAVENWORTH, Washington () -- U.S. officials have thanked Russia for offering the use of a giant water-carrying plane to help extinguish forest fires raging in Washington state, but said the aircraft was too big to be of use.


"It's just a huge, big aircraft," said spokesman Tommy Thompson of the Multi-Agency Coordination Center in Portland, Oregon that oversees firefighting efforts by various state and federal agencies. "The landing strips they operate out of just can't handle that.


"We really appreciate the offer," he added.


Russia offered to contribute the plane, capable of carrying 42 cubic meters of water, after an appeal for help from U.S. authorities. The aircraft had been used to help douse huge forest fires in Russia last year.




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