Wildfires

Nov. 6, 7:45 a.m. -- Firefighters continue to battle the August Fire, which is now estimated at 620 acres and 60 percent contained. Working day and night over the last two days, firefighters have succeeded in establishing a fireline around the August Fire between Ash Creek Ridge and Senator Highway northwest of Palace Station on the Prescott National Forest.    » read more »

Nov. 5, 10:55 a.m. -- Smoke from a wildfire on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and from a separate wildfire on the Tonto National Forest has been noticeable to people in Forest Lakes, Heber- Overgaard, and as far away as Payson and Winslow.

The Wilkins Fire is estimated at over 5,000 acres in size Monday and is within containment lines.

Flame lengths remain low (about 1 foot high) and crews have stopped the forward (northeast) progress of the fire.

There are 17 people assigned to this fire. No structures are threatened.    » read more »

November 5, 2007, PASADENA, Calif. -- Two weeks after wildfires tore through seven California counties, more than $5.6 million in federal funds is in the hands of individuals and families affected by the disaster. More than 14,500 Californians have registered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for federal and state disaster assistance.    » read more »

11/05/2007 -- To help expedite the removal of fire-related debris from more than 1,000 homes, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that his Office of Emergency Services (OES) is advancing $5 million in state funds to San Diego County.    » read more »

11/02/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced a $50,000 reward for information leading toward the arrest and conviction in a California court of the person or persons responsible for setting the Rosa Fire. Below is the full text of the Governor’s proclamation.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, more than 20 fires have burned in southern California since October 21, 2007; and

WHEREAS, the Rosa fire in Riverside County caused 411 acres to burn, resulting in forced evacuations and structural damage; and    » read more »

11/02/2007    » 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 »

FORT MONROE, Va. -- In support of the Department of Defense’s response to the wildfires that have hit Southern California, Chief Petty Officer Roberto Montoto, a Joint Task Force Civil Support intelligence specialist, deployed as part of a seven-person planning team to Sacramento to support the California Army and Air National Guard’s state-level planning effort.    » read more »

October 30, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the floor this afternoon expressing her support for H.Res 778, to recognize and honor the first responders to the California wildfires last week. Below are the Speaker’s remarks:    » 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 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Immigrants’ rights groups have reported that immigrants evacuated in the wake of the California wildfires have suffered discrimination when seeking emergency shelter, supplies and services. Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement:    » 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 »

October 26, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today urged the public to donate carefully to groups that are assisting in the California wildfire relief efforts.    » read more »

10/27/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced cash grants of up to $10,000 are available to help some individuals who have suffered losses in the southern California fires. The grants are administered by the California Department of Social Services as a supplemental program to FEMA-administered assistance. The grants help fire victims with expenses caused by a direct result of the disaster such as housing, replacing household items, medical costs and transportation.    » read more »