Wildfires

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 »

October 25, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt is pleased to announce that four state employees are participating in the American Red Cross Emergency Disaster Leave Program for a minimum of two weeks to assist with mass care operations for the citizens evacuated during the California wildfires disaster.    » read more »

October 24, 2007 -- LOS ANGELES -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that the Department of Justice is prepared to investigate and prosecute businesses that attempt to “wrongfully profit” from the devastating fires that have swept Southern California.

“It is illegal to exploit the state of emergency for personal gain,” said Brown.    » read more »

10/25/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced he will hold a meeting tomorrow with California’s elected officials and cabinet officers to address the state’s response to the southern California wildfires and what actions are needed to quickly recover.    » read more »

10/25/2007 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved California’s request for a $50 million grant that will help hire over 3,000 workers in temporary disaster assistance jobs in the areas affected by the wildfires.    » read more »

10/25/2007 -- Cutting the red tape to get fire victims the supplies they need, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that special load permits will be issued for trucks carrying disaster relief supplies in areas affected by fires in southern California. The permits will be valid on specified routes for seven days and, if necessary, may be extended.    » read more »

10/25/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today directed the Small Business Disaster Assistance Loan Guarantee Program to be activated to guarantee $7 million in loans for farms, agriculture-related businesses and businesses in communities that suffered damage or significant economic loss as a result of the southern California wildfires.    » read more »

10/24/2007 -- 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 Santiago Fire. Below is the full text of the Governor’s proclamation.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, there are more than 15 fires burning in southern California; and

WHEREAS, the fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres, including thousands of homes, businesses and structures; and

WHEREAS, the fires have forced 321,500 people to evacuate; and    » read more »

10/24/2007 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger today applauded action taken today by Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner to assist fire victims in their recovery efforts by declaring an insurance emergency.

“I applaud Insurance Commissioner Poizner for taking action to assist the victims of these devastating wildfires in their recovery efforts. This is another example of government working together. We need to help the people of southern California rebuild as quickly as possible and this action will help them do so,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger.    » 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 »

October 24, 2007, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With the announcement today of a major disaster declaration for California, additional federal assistance will be available for individuals and communities in the seven declared counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.    » 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 »

October 24, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With the announcement today of a major disaster declaration for California, additional federal assistance will be available for individuals and communities in the seven declared counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.    » read more »