California Governor Schwarzenegger Commends Rapid Clean up Efforts for Angora Fire Victims

State and local agencies exceed half-way mark for debris removal

08/09/2007 -- Governor Schwarzenegger today commended the efforts of local and state officials and contract debris removal employees for exceeding the half-way mark for debris clean-up efforts following the Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe. Of the 259 properties destroyed by the wildfire, 141 have been cleared.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the crews that are in charge of the debris clean up, families are much closer to overcoming the devastation of this fire and rebuilding their lives,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I appreciate that action was taken so quickly on all levels of government to help these victims begin to recover. The people of South Lake Tahoe have shown great pride and determination as a community, coming together to overcome the challenges and hardships caused by this disaster.”

“I commend the outstanding efforts of the men and women who have committed themselves to reach this milestone after only 25 days of operation.”

In response to the Governor's Executive Order S-09-07, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, amended its existing contract with a solid waste remediation contractor to remove the structural debris and ash created by the Angora fire in El Dorado County. Remediation activities began on July 16, 2007.

To date, 253 property owners have taken advantage of the debris removal program which is being paid for by the State and 141 properties have been cleared. A total of 259 properties were destroyed. Nearly 30,000 tons of debris has been removed – 349 tons of metal and 2,352 tons of concrete have been delivered for recycling.

The cleanup is expected to be complete before the end of the summer. The goal is to remove anything harmful before rain or snow begins, to make sure the Lake Tahoe Basin remains safe from environmental hazards caused by runoff.

Governor Schwarzenegger has been engaged in the response efforts since the Angora Fire began on June 24, 2007. He has visited the fire zone on three separate occasions.

On July 25, 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger and Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission, a panel of 17 voting members that represent each State’s stake in the responsible management of lands and fire fuels within the Tahoe Basin, including representatives from affected state agencies, fire agencies and the public. They also requested the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to designate one person from the United States Forest Service to serve on the commission.

The commission is performing a comprehensive review of the laws, policies and practices that affect the vulnerability of the Tahoe Basin to wildfires. It is also studying various user-friendly approaches to reducing the threat of wildfires while protecting the environment. It will submit a report and recommendations to the two governors by March 21, 2008.

On July 4, 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) requesting that El Dorado County be declared a disaster area in order to provide SBA Disaster Loan Program assistance to Angora Fire victims. The request was granted and will qualify victims of the Angora Fire for low income loans of up to $200,000 for homeowners to repair or replace their damaged or destroyed primary residence. Also, homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The loans are available for homeowners, renters and business owners whose property was damaged or destroyed in the fire.

Governor Schwarzenegger announced the establishment of a Local Assistance Center on June 26, 2007 to help provide state and local services to assist victims displaced by the wildfire, suffering property loss and economic and other damages. The next day, Governor Schwarzenegger toured the fire-damaged areas with Lt. Governor John Garamendi, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons. They met with firefighters and local officials and were joined by Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman, Office of Emergency Services Director Henry Renteria and CalFIRE Deputy Director for Fire Protection Ken McLean.

Governor Schwarzenegger has issued two executive orders to help victims of the wildfire recover. On June 27, 2007, he issued an executive order to assist individuals that suffered losses by waiving fees for replacing state documents lost in the fire including vehicle registrations, driver’s licenses and birth certificates. He also issued Executive Order S-09-07 on July 2, 2007 to help victims clean up and rebuild as quickly as possible by streamlining, and in some cases suspending, certain state rules regarding the removal and disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous debris as well as dead and dying trees.

As a result of this disaster, El Dorado County proclaimed a local emergency on June 24, 2007 and subsequently requested state and federal assistance. In response to El Dorado County’s request, a proclamation for a State of Emergency was issued on June 25, 2007.

The Angora Fire began on June 24, 2007 in the North Upper Truckee area in South Lake Tahoe, California and was fully contained on July 2, 2007.

Source: California Governor

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