04:16 PM CDT on Saturday, April 8, 2006

WWLTV.com

Firefighters from across the country left Louisiana Saturday after federal funding expired.

After Katrina, over 800 firefighters from 22 states and five federal agencies came to the area. They helped battle more than 700 wildfires on the Northshore. Fire fighters said 58 percent of those fires were started to burn storm debris, but then got out of hand.

Folsom's fire chief worries that with the departure of the out-of-state firefighters local fire departments will be unable to meet the area’s fire and rescue needs.

"Because the department here in St. Tammany cannot handle the forest fires, they're gonna need extra help," said Chief David Pittman.

A FEMA spokeswoman said it is up to the state to ask for more money to keep firefighters.

State officials said they have already gotten one extension for funding, and another would most likely be denied.