bernard smith, al jazeera, istanbul. you can always get the very latest on the al jazeera website. there's a lot of analysis, and background, and controversial opinion as well. aljazeera.com is where you'll find it all. ♪ new evacuations in the northwest as fires spread faster than crews can contain them, now international help is on its way. another steep drop for the dow as international woes continue to worry investors. and president obama reassures fellow democrats in hopes of securing a nuclear deal with iran. and his supporters say they have the votes in congress to keep the deal alive. ♪

this al jazeera america live from new york city, i'm stephanie sy. new help is on its way to fight those huge wildfires in the western united states. some 29,000 are battling about 10 large fires across six states, and in a first for washington state officials are asking for volunteers to join the fight. they are looking for drenthzs who can operate backhoes and bulldozers. >> this is an unprecedented cataclysm in our state. there are 390,000 acres burning. >> reporter: dry weather and strong winds are helping fuel the fires raging in the eastern part of the united states. >> we know these fires have burned a big home in our hearts. >> reporter: the body of three firefighters were removed by a

procession of emergency vehicles. they died after getting trapped in the flames. the men were identified as a 20 year old, a 26 year old, and 31 year old richard. their families in mourning. >> he was the center of our lives. >> we're going to miss him more than anything in the whole world. >> it's horrible, and to lose your life fiekting fire, it's horrible for a family, and yeah, it's a bad deal. >> reporter: officials called for immediate evacuations. a similar order went out last night for a thousand people in a nearby town. officials fear strong winds won't die down any time soon. >> we thank everyone who are doing everything they can, to make sure the ever-green state does not become an ever-fire

state. >> the u.s. is sending $150 million a week to battle fires in the west. now australia and new zealand are sending help. take a look at this image from the fires in idaho this week. a sheep dog and her two pups are protecting a dead fawn. witnesses say that the dogs stayed for hours warding off people and potential predators. this satellite photo shows smoke drifting across the west, and that is raising health concerns. kevin corriveau is here with more on that. how bad is it? >> in all of the time i have been doing weather, this is probably one of the worst wildfire seasons i have seen, and we haven't even gotten close to the end of it. we have at least seven more weeks. temperatures are fairly good for this area. we're talking about the high

50s, and the winds are fairly light. but as we proceed through the day, things get much worse. and the red flag warnings are in effect here for very dusty conditions across the region as well as the smoke and that causes problems with breathing quality across the area. there will be a big problem day and through the weekend. we don't expect to see any rain coming into the forecast, and the temperature rsz expected to come up. >> and on the other coast an atlantic hurricane. >> yes, danny is making its way towards the caribbean. we expect it to break back down to a tropical storm. but you can see it making its way towards the caribbean, if you have travel plans, it is going to be a little bit soggy with the storm. coming down to a tropical storm here, making its way towards puerto rico as well over the next couple of days, that we

expect to see on tuesday as well as the dominican republic, and haiti. that could be a big problem, because [ inaudible ] tends to handle these storms poorly because of deforestation going on there. i want to take you towards hawaii. from a tropical storm to a hurricane, making its way towards kawai by the time we get towards wednesday. this is a very rare event. and flooding will be a major problem. >> kevin corriveau thank you. well, the stock market is plunging again this morning for the fourth straight day. [ bell chimes ] the dow down more than 190 points right now, more than 1% after falling 358 points yesterday. that is the biggest drop in almost five years.

let's talk about this with an economist and professor of economics at the university of massachusetts. thank you for joining us. how serious should we be taking this? and in what sector are we seeing the biggest losses? >> the selloff has to be taken seriously, because anything of this size happening so quickly is a warning shot across the bow of the world economy. i think the way to understand it best is to see that when you have a global cappalism in the way we do, a problem in one major area, it's only a matter of time before it becomes a problem elsewhere. for the last two or three years, people here in the united states have diluted themselves, imagining the growing problems of europe on the one hand and the chinese economy on the other could somehow play themselves out without reverberations here. what you are seeing now is the global recognition by the rest

of the world and by people who have stocks and bonds that that was an illusion, and that we're now in another economic downturn and the only question that intelligent people now have is how bad it will be, and how long it will last? >> so obviously you are referring to -- you know, the bat -- data coming out of china, and the fear that the world's second largest economy is slowing down, and yet there have been signs of recovery here in the united states. so is the only economy only as strong as its leakest link. >> partly it is only as strong as its weakest link. because the china and the europeans are in very, very bad shape. for example, the recovery we're supposed to be looking at has been one mostly focused on

reducing the unemployment level, and while that's very nice, the underlying reality speaks in a very different direction, millions of people have left the -- labor force, real wages have not gone up, so you don't get the economic effects that one would have hoped for, bringing people back to work, because so many are not part of that story, and even if they get their job, they are not earning the income that they can turn around and spending. so what i think we're seeing is that the height of recovery has just hit the reality check that is showing up in the downturn in the market. >> and in that sense, then, is what we're seeing in the markets really a correction, that more accurately reflects where the global economy and the u.s. economy actually is in the economy? >> sure it does. but the problem with the market always is, is when you think it's a correction that quote

accurately reflects, you have to remember that panic is a major part of all investors strategies. they don't want to miss it when it is going up, and they don't want to be stuck in it when it's going down. these kinds of sharp fluctuations have a way of building their own momentum, so we lose track of whether this is an accurate assessment of where we are or the beginning of a panic that can have ramifications that we don't even want to dare look into. >> how would you expect the fed react toss these market guy rations as they consider when and whether to raise interest rates? >> i think they are interesting terrorized. they won't say so, i went to school with janet yellen, i know her. they will keep their cool, because that's what they are required to do for the media and the public, but the reality is, they were hoping for the kinds of economic strength that would

enable them to begin to reign in the quantitative easing, the low interest rates, the pumping in of the money supply. but this kind of economic downturn, in europe, in china, and now in global markets, makes it harder and harder for them to justify taking the negative impact risk of a rising interest rate that would be too much and too dangerous. >> richard wolf, an economist at the university of massachusetts. thank you for your incites this morning. president obama is again urging democrats to support what he calls a good deal to curb iran's nuclear program. he laid out the case in a letter to congressional democrats. he said the u.s. would enhance security for israel, and would punish iran for giving destabilizing aid in the middle east. he writes this

a number of prominent democrats are now voicing support for the deal. nancy pelosi says her party has the votes to uphold any presidential veto of a congressional resolution against the agreement that would take 146 house democrats. fewer than 60 have publicly declared their support so far. a graduation ceremony is underway right now for the u.s. army's ranger school, and for the first time two graduates are women. they made it through the elite and growling program. the pair have been called pioneers and trailblazers. but as john terrett reports, their journey is not over yet. >> it's awesome to be part of the history. >> reporter: captain on making it through the punishing ranger school, until now a men-only achievement. >> it's always just about trying to get the best training that the army could offer us, to be

the best officer for my soldiers. >> reporter: ranger training consists of physical endurance and survival skills at extremes. captain and first lieutenant finished endurance tests ahead of some of their male colleagues, earning themselves the nickname, physical studs. >> we are came through skeptical, with our guards up, ready just in case, you know, the haters and nay sayers, but we don't come with a chip on our shoulder, like we had anything to prove. >> reporter: 19 women started the gruelling training back in april, but just the two, along with 94 men completed all of it. they will not actually be joining the army rangers, nor will that they serve in the infantry or on any special ops because they are woman. >> we do hope we have been able

to inform that decision as to what they can expect from women in the military, that we can handle things physically and mentally on the same level as men, and we can deal with the statement stresses that the men can. >> reporter: but the timing may be fortuitus, the residence secretary is reviewing whether any combat job should remain closed to women. >> the services will provide a report to the chairman requesting any exception to this policy, and i'll review the services recommendation, and make a final determination on that issue by the engine-- end s year. >> reporter: that idea that if you can meet the same standard, you should be able to do the same job is getting a lot of momentum, and will no doubt get a big boost from the graduation. up next, it's america's unseen conflict in the horn of africa. president obama steps up u.s.

efforts to combat al-shabab in somalia.

>> our american story is written every day. it's not always pretty... but it's real. and we show you like no-one else can. this is our american story. this is america tonight. welcome back to al jazeera america. it is 10:46 eastern, taking a look at today's top stories. four new fires have broken out at the site of last week's huge blast in china. the death toll now standings at 116. 60 people are still missing.

hackers have dropped a second even larger group of data from the adultery site. and an investigation is getting underway in los angeles. authorities say it appears a generator exploded in the 19-story building. two people were injured and taken to the hospital. the fire was quickly extinguished. the u.s. is taking on a larger military role in the fight against al-shabab in somalia. fighters have pledged allegiance to al-qaeda. >> reporter: for almost a quarter sentry it has been a country in tatters. since 1991, somalia has had 16 governments mostly powerless and unable to stop the rise of al-shabab, theal fill late of

al-qaeda that has destabilized not only somalia, but the entire horn of africa. president obama has used a combination of regional military forcing to fight groups like al-shabab. in a visiting neighbors kenya last month, he touted his approach. as we speak, kenya is working with ethiopia and the united states and others, to further degrade al-shabab's space of operations inside of somalia. >> reporter: but the trip was a stark reminder that seven years into his presidency, the fight continues to rage. the day after the president spoke in kenya, a car bomb attack killed 13. al-shabab claimed responsibility. though they have lost ground, experts say what is needed now is political stability. >> that requires legitimacy and

ultimately one has a reborn nation once again. and until that happens we're playing whack-a-mole with shabab. >> reporter: the u.s. policy has been two-pronged, defeat al-shabab, and provide a viable government. u.s. military personnel have been training and equipping african union forces. the u.s. also has special forces operating inside somalia, and there have been air strikes. since 2007, the u.s. has conducted an estimated 15 to 19 drone strikes inside somalia, mostly flown from its massive air base nearby. that along with an estimated 8 to 11 cruz missile strikes. last month at least six strikes hit somalia, as the u.s. provides support for an ongoing

offensive. this year the u.s. says the strikes have killed top al-shabab commanders, including one said to have played a role on the attack on the westgait mall. the u.s. sent troops in 2002. the battle between militias and american troops depicted in the movie blackhawk down end with the dragging dead americans through the streets of mogadishu. the u.s. pulled out. leading to further chaos. now the coalition is making gains. and there are two key questions. what is the future? and what is the u.s.'s role? >> there are distinct limits to

what the u.s. is prepared to do. >> reporter: a new government is in place, the prime minister spoke with al jazeera in march, painting an optimistic picture. >> translator: i think most somalians now have decided to pick up their own pieces and -- and -- and do what they can to really better their lives. >> reporter: long-suffering somalians can only hope their prime minister is right. mike viqueira, al jazeera, washington. following your every move, some police departments using equipment to track your smartphone, and they are doing it without a court order.

>> i lived that character. >> go one on one with

♪ a new report shows police in multiple states are using cell phone tracking devices for investigations. they have been doing it for years, but it has been kept quiet. >> reporter: they go by industry names like juggler, and wolf hound, cell tracking equipment that is cheap, small, and easily used. purchase records show law enforce agencies have been d die -- buying these devices since 2010. industry experts say the devices passively gather radio waves when the phone communicates with a cell tower, a way to collect

data that does not necessarily require a court order, but they could be used with more invase i devices known as string ways, capturing identifying information such as location. jake ward reported on string rays which law enforcement could used to scoop up information. >> people report their cell phones acting quite weirdly, the battery is draining, the interference with the ability to communicate. >> reporter: law enforce has often declined to publicly comment on any of these devices. they often cite public safety and jeopardizing investigations. privacy advocates have been fighting the use. >> our founding fathers made a decision to say if police want to enter into a house, they have

got to get a search war rent. it would be easier for law enforcement to say we are just going to enter everybody's house and look for crime once a week. but we decided that you know what, there are important liberty interests at stake. >> reporter: more than a dozen states have passed laws, requiring war rents beforehand, except in emergency situations. >> we reached out to the agencies mentioned, the justice department declined comment, and florida's department of law enforcement told us it follows all state and federal requirements. earlier i talked to the ceo of a company that takes these devices. he explained how they work. >> this is the wolf hound pro, it's a cell-phone detector, allows you to detect and locate cell phones and focuses in on the transmissions from our

phones. so our phones when we send a text, make a phone call, email, gobble search, they transmit from the mobile to the cell tower, and this allows you to hone in on it, and you can target whatever the phone is, and zoom in on it. and it will alert you. it will have a laser as you get closer to the target. >> how close to you have to be to a phone? >> you could be 500 yards away and pick up on the signal, and it will tell you what the actual frequency is on the screen. we're familiar with the lte, 4g, gsn, so we can scan and hone in on a particular signal. >> how many of these have you sold to law enforcements. >> thousands to different agencies to different groups. everything from guys tracking down drug dealers, maybe that have gps trackers -- >> can i hold it? >> sure.

>> so you have sold thousands of these to law enforcement. why do you think they are keeping relatively quiet about the use of these devices. >> number one there is no law against using these devices. if you contrast it to some of the other intercept devices where they are truly tracking a person, they can have access to content there. so there's different privacy laws that can be broken, where there is not. so there's certainly a fine line there, and this is on the side where you don't have any problems. >> could you see how it could be abused? >> sure, absolutely. we can sell to the general public, corporations if they want to keep a secure board room, for example, so nobody can ease drop. >> he said it is not possible to shield your phone. we are getting a stunning look at the northern lights. scott kelly capturing this video

from the international space station. the display is a result of collisions between the earth's gas particles, and matter released by the sun, and this releases colorful streams into the sky. we may soon get to see a long lost nazi treasure. historians have searched for a train taken during world war ii. the train was dispatched near the end of the war as the soviets approached the german frontier. now two men say they know exactly where it is and they will reveal the location for a price. >> translator: no one has ever been able to confirm the existence of this train. there are no documents locating it. >> translator: it could be either nonsense or they got the information directly from germans. maybe one of these men is a descendant of people who took part in this action. >> the men want 10% of the value of what is inside. thanks for watching.

i'm stephanie sy. the news continues next live from doha. ♪ >> announcer: this is al jazeera. hello, and welcome to the al jazeera news hour. i'm martine dennis in doha. coming up in the next 60 minutes. [ gunfire ] >> macedonia opens its border just hours after police use stun grenades to stop refugees from crossing from greece. north korea's leader kim ki-jong orders his troops to be ready for war with the south. the terror, the confusion. it w