Federal agencies directed to use any water needed to fight California fires

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Wednesday directed federal agencies to use any water that was needed to "protect life and property" threatened by wildfires in California, a statement from the Commerce Department said. In the statement, Ross said he had directed the National Marine Fisheries Service to facilitate access to the water needed to fight the fires. (Reporting by Tim Ahmann; editing by Jonathan Oatis)