State of emergency in Montana A huge cloud carrying tons of ash from Mount St. Helens volcano headed east across the northern United States Monday, leaving towns layered with grit that choked residents, con- laminated drinking water and forced closure of businesses and schools. The danger and discomfort lessened as the pungent cloud moved far- ther away from its source. - Montana Gov. Thomas Juage declared a state of emergency to permit of- ficials to assume broader authority to cope with the fallout. Idaho Gov. John Evans congidered — similar action. Some areas of northern Idaho reported - as much as ‘six inches of h on the ground, althosgh most places reported considerably less. The primary immediate concern was for people with respiratory ailments who could be severely affected by the ash. A more long-range problem, still being assessed, was the effect of ash deposits eastern Washington's agriculture. Even for healthy people, the grit was a constant source of irritation and frustration. After the fallout ended, the powdery deposits quickly swirled into a thick cloud with any movement, Feral burros to be removed WASHINGTON (UPI) - Assistant Interior Secretary Robert Herbst Monday ordered the removal - by shooting, if necessary - of all non-native burros from Grand Canyon National Park. The more than 350 feral (non-native) burros inhabiting the park = are descendants of a species brought into the Southwest by prospectors around the turn of the century. Feral animals are domesticated amimals that have made a transition to living in the wild. “The Park Service cannot preserve and protect the natural resources of the park without removing these animals.” Herbst said. “Studies have shown that the native plant, small mammal and soil com. munities of the park cannot withstand the damage caused by these burrus ” OFFICE PERSONNEL Maureen Surling, Sylvia Gowans PERMANENT - TEMPORARY 140 WS Street North Vancouver 984-0251 making highway driving dangerous and walking an irritating chore. Eastern Washington, from Yakima to Spokane, was virtually shut down by the ash. Roads, schools and businesses were closed, and residents who had to go Outside, many wearing masks to filter out the ash, were soon dusted. Emergency shelters were set up to help stranded motorists. In many areas, motorists were warmed not iy FURNITURE CO cHoose FRomM SECTIONALS, SOFAS, LOVE SEATS, ano CHAIRS wa TREMENDOUS SELECTION or COLORS, to drive faster than 15 mph because of ash-shick roads and problems of swirling grit blown by = fast-moving vehicles. Commercial air traffic as far east as Billings, Mont., was virtually stopped by poor visibility and slick runways. Schools were closed as far from the volcano as Great Falls and Bozeman, Mont. An “air pollution crisis” was declared in Missoula, Mont., where health officials | Wi iat ch AAs MRCMACEDERR MME TO PROM BAe PHONE 261-3187 Aci GARE F MAL -