Wildfires

August 13, 2008 -- Today, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent the following letter to President Bush through Nancy Ward, Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Administrator, Region IX, requesting that the President amend his previous emergency declaration and declare a major federal disaster for the State of California due to wildfires.

Helicopters fighting a wildfire: Photo by Noah McMurray (CC)

The request includes:

* A major federal disaster declaration for the State of California as a result of the wildfires;
* Dating the declaration to include wildfires that began on May 22, 2008; and    » read more »

August 6, 2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today declared a state of emergency in Humboldt County as a result of the numerous wildfires that have led to unprecedented smoke conditions and unhealthy air quality. The proclamation utilizes all resources consistent with the state's authority under the California Disaster Assistance Act.

To date, the Governor has declared a state of emergency in the following 13 counties due to wildfires: Butte, Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta and Trinity.

Full text of the proclamation:

A PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

WHEREAS over 2,000 wildfires have erupted in California since May 22, 2008; and    » read more »

05/24/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued another proclamation related to the Summit Fire after flames crossed into Santa Clara County. The Governor issued a similar proclamation on Thursday for Santa Cruz County.

Smoke from the Summit fire seen from Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, May 22, 2008: Photo by lemurdillo (CC)    » read more »

05/22/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement and proclamation:

"I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the brave firefighters. As I've said many times before, we have the most courageous, talented and best trained firefighters in the world. They are doing a great job fighting the Summit Fire.

"My administration is working closely with federal and local officials, including Congresswoman Eshoo, Congressman Honda, Senator Maldonado and Assemblymember Laird. We are aggressively battling this fire from the onset. We are putting extra resources on this fire, and we will continue to mobilize and coordinate all the resources necessary to fight it."    » read more »

Request follows Trigo Fire damage assessment by team of federal, state, and local officials

May 13, 2008 -- SANTA FE -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today formally requested a disaster declaration from the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Torrance County as a result of severe damage caused by the Trigo Fire.

Trigo wildfire, New Mexico: Photo by Kit_Z (CC)

An SBA declaration of disaster would give residents who lost homes, businesses, or property in the fire the opportunity to apply for low interest loans with flexible repayment terms.    » read more »

May 9, 2008 -- A warm, windy summer could mean more wildfires for Colorado, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced at his annual wildfire briefing today

Conditions on the Eastern Plains and in northwest Colorado may contribute to higher-than-average wildfire activity. Fire experts also are concerned about the foothills and lower elevations east of the Continental Divide due to the abundance of dead, dry grass produced by the wet winter of 2006/2007.

Forest firefighting via helicopter, Colorado, 2007: Photo by Brad (CC)

The recent dry weather in western Colorado also has them on alert.    » read more »

05/09/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued Executive Order S-03-08, which boosts the state's preparedness for wildfire season and directs the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to immediately mobilize critical firefighting resources and personnel to save lives and homes statewide.

California Governor Schwarzenegger takes action on firefighting: Photo courtesy California Governor's office    » read more »

Commends Actions of Firefighters in Combating Brush Fires

April 25, 2008 -- As dry weather conditions persist and the state’s forest fire danger continues to be elevated, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today reminded residents of the current restrictions on burning brush on their property.

Forest fire: Photo by waterboi_atx

The Governor said that even if a property owner has received a permit from a local Open Burning Official to burn brush, the property owner can not do so within 100 feet of a grassland or woodland when the state’s forest fire danger is high.    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the forest fire in Minnewaska State Park in Ulster County is now contained. However, officials remain on guard for flare-ups, smoldering spots and other hazards presented by rising temperatures and winds.

“The fire has been contained, thanks to the tremendous effort of the forest rangers, other state agencies and the dozens of local fire companies involved,” said Governor Paterson. “Hazards still remain – flare-ups are always a concern in these situations and crews will have to remain vigilant. All involved can be proud of their work in preventing what could have been much worse.”    » read more »

State Forestry Division responding as fire threatens homes and property

April 20, 2008 -- SANTA FE- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson late this afternoon directed all related state agencies to assist in ongoing federal firefighting efforts with the Trigo fire burning in the Manzano Mountains in Torrance County.

Trigo wildfire, New Mexico: Manzano Mountains in Torrance County. Photo by Kit_Z (CC)

The fire is burning primarily on federal land and firefighting efforts are being directed from the Southwest Fire Coordination Center in Albuquerque.    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter tonight declared the fire burning in Crowley County a state emergency and made $500,000 available from the State Disaster Emergency Fund.

The funds will be used to help defray firefighting and recovery costs in and around Ordway.

Gov. Ritter also has directed the Colorado Division of Emergency Management to seek any available federal assistance, including Small Business Administration loans, to help those who sustain damage from the fire.

"We will be doing all we can to assist the people of Ordway and Crowley County as they try to bring this fire under control," Gov. Ritter said.

Source: Colorado Governor

Napolitano testimony before U.S. House of Representatives on FLAME Act

April 10, 2008 -- PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano today told the U.S. House of Representatives’ Natural Resources Committee that Congress should pass legislation to provide separate federal funding for catastrophic wildfire response and suppression.

Smoke billows from a wildfire in Sedona, Arizona: Photo by cantaloupe99 (CC)    » read more »

San Diego Padres providing free tickets to Friday's exhibition game to those who lost homes; Players and coaches will wear caps from first-response organizations

SAN DIEGO, 03/25/2008 -- The San Diego Padres today announced plans to recognize survivors and first responders from last fall's wildfires prior to their exhibition game Friday, March 28 (7:05 p.m. vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim).

The Padres are providing free tickets to individuals and families whose homes were lost or significantly damaged during the October 2007 devastation. Individuals from the approximately 1,500 households affected can still pick up Fire Recovery Night ticket vouchers from their local long-term assistance center.    » read more »

March 15, 2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that the President yesterday declared an emergency exists in the state of Texas and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the area struck by wildfires beginning on March 14, 2008, and continuing.    » read more »

March 15, 2008 -- Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's major disaster declaration issued for Texas.

"Emergency" is any occasion or instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:    » read more »