Inmates Evacuated as Brush Fires Spread

State officials evacuated 37 inmates from a state prison and made contingency plans to move more than 400 more as brush fires continued to scorch northern counties. More than 1,000 state firefighters and an equal number of federal and local personnel were battling more than 100 fires in what officials say is the worst fire season in 13 years. At Mayo Correction Institution, 20 miles east of Perry, state Department of Corrections officials moved the prisoners to another state facility in Liberty County. The inmates were moved for medical reasons, a department spokeswoman said.