CLINTON VOWS TO FIGHT FIRES.(MAIN)

Byline: DOUGLAS JEHL New York Times

After what he called ``one of the worst fire seasons in memory,'' President Clinton said Saturday that he would seek to more than double federal spending on wildfire programs in the year ahead.

He asked Congress for nearly $1.6 billion to aid affected communities and to try to prevent future blazes.

The announcement was in part an attempt to bounce back politically after weeks in which Clinton and Vice President Al Gore have come under sharp criticism from Republicans, including Gov. George W. Bush, for what their critics say is a pro-environment bias that has increased the fire risk.

Concern about fires …