Firefighting

Quebec Firefighters Delayed At Border While Responding To Blaze In Rouses Point

November 14, 2007 -- Two days after Quebec firefighters were delayed crossing the U.S.-Canadian border while responding to a fire a few miles away in Rouses Point, NY, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to employ a regular system that would allow first-responders from the two countries to swiftly cross the border so they can offer mutual assistance.    » read more »

(Nov. 8, 7:50 a.m.) Firefighters continue to battle the August Fire, which is now estimated at 630 acres and 85 percent contained.

Firefighters continue to make progress, but mop-up is taking longer than expected due to the amount of fuels in the perimeter of the fire and to reinforce contingency lines. Full containment is expected on Thursday, November 9.    » read more »

11/06/2007

Review 2003 Fire Recommendations

With the devastating southern California fires under control, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today called on the Blue Ribbon Task Force to assess the next steps to take at federal, state and local levels of government to prevent and fight future fires. Additionally, the Governor asked the task force to review the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission’s recommendations, generated after the 2003 fires, to evaluate if the recommendations are still the best and most effective ways in preventing and fighting fires.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2007 – An Army organization that provides support to civil authorities during emergencies is withdrawing its command-and-control detail from southern California, according to a U.S. Army North news release.

The nearly 70 departing servicemembers belong to San Antonio-based U.S. Army North, a component of U.S. Northern Command, the unified command on Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., that’s responsible for homeland defense and civil support.    » read more »

October 31, 2007 -- (Santa Fe, NM) – The second fire fighter strike team sent from New Mexico to assist with the fires scorching southern California is scheduled to return to the state tomorrow, Thursday, November 1, Governor Bill Richardson announced today.    » read more »

10/31/2007 -- In preparation for the forecasted return of Santa Ana winds beginning this Friday, California Governor Schwarzenegger today directed the California National Guard (CNG), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and Office of Emergency Services (OES) to proactively prepare for a new round of fires in southern California.

Under the Governor's direction, these agencies have developed an aggressive, tactical plan to pre-position staff and assets in areas facing a high fire risk, based on weather projected for Friday through Monday.    » read more »

October 30, 2007 -- (Santa Fe, NM) – As fire conditions in California improve, one of the three strike teams New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson dispatched last week from New Mexico is returning to the state today. The crew returning is made up of fire departments from Angel Fire, Bernalillo County, Las Vegas, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Raton and Rio Rancho.

"We are all very proud of the brave men and women returning home today, but we should also keep the rest of our fire fighters still deployed in California in our thoughts and prayers,” Governor Bill Richardson said.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (10/25/2007) - The Santa Ana winds in Southern California are subsiding, allowing firefighters – both military and civilian – to make progress against wildfires that are rampaging through the area, California National Guard officials said.

C-130 airplanes equipped with modular air firefighting systems have flown five sorties and dropped almost 84,000 gallons of fire retardant since California officials activated them yesterday, National Guard Bureau officials said. The aircraft hit the Poomacha fire, northeast of San Diego.    » read more »

Oct. 25, 2007 -- LOS ANGELES – The Coast Guard continues to provide assistance to area firefighters and rescue personnel in their ongoing efforts to battle the blazes in Southern California. So far the Coast Guard has:

-- Personnel have been assigned to work in the Joint Field Office in Pasadena, the San Diego County Emergency Operations Center and at the Harris Ranch Fire.

-- A Coast Guard C-130 from Air Station Sacramento, Calif. flew two flights into San Diego carrying a total of 3,000 cots and blankets for FEMA's use with aiding evacuees.    » read more »

FDNY Incident Management Team Has Also Been Activated and Deployed to California

October 25, 2007 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno announced today that OEM is sending an experienced five- member emergency management team to California to assist in wildfire-related operations. The OEM team will join the New York City Fire Department (FDNY ) members who have already deployed to California.    » read more »

October 25, 2007 -- (Santa Fe, NM) – Today New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson dispatched an additional sixteen New Mexicans and five fire engines to fight the continuing wildfires in Southern California. One New Mexico State Forestry fire engine, two Santa Fe County fire engines from Hondo and Agua Fria, and two Bureau of Indian Affairs engines from Zuni and Ramah will make up a Strike Team of Type 6 fire engines. A Type 6 fire engine is specifically designed for combating wild land fire.    » read more »

October 24, 2007 -- Carson City— As wildfires continue to rage throughout California, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons announced today that additional fire suppression resources from Nevada are in route to provide much needed assistance.    » read more »

10/24/2007 - California Governor Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding President George W. Bush’s Major Disaster Declaration for California due to the southern California wildfires:    » read more »

HUD to offer foreclosure relief, provide FHA insurance to assist rebuilding

October 24, 2007 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to the Southern California counties affected by raging wildfires and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2007 – Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner today announced that additional Incident Management Teams are en route to Southern California to assist with containing the rapidly spreading wildfires. These teams are comprised of specialists from eight state and federal agencies who routinely work together in responding to disaster and wildfire emergencies.    » read more »