National Guardsmen Head To California

Five Guardsmen boarded a Chinook helicopter bound for Sacramento, where they will receive their assignments.

On Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked for help from the Washington National Guard, and Gov. Chris Gregoire agreed to send one of the state's two CH-47 Chinook helicopters, which has the ability to carry 2,000 gallons of water.

Fire crews from 41 states are in California, helping firefighters battle hundreds of blazes darkening skies over the San Francisco Bay area and Central Valley.

Dry lightning sparked more than 800 fires last weekend and more lightning is in the forecast this weekend.