Wildfires

Lacking Local Resources for Preventive Measures to Protect Homes, Property; Federal Resources Shrink as Front Line Population Surges and More Drought Looms

SAN FRANCISCO (October 24, 2007) – As blazes erupt across California, the authors of a new report released today warn that many of the region’s booming communities have not taken steps ahead of time that have been proven to protect properties and prevent losses.    » read more »

October 23, 2007 -- The Sierra Club is deeply concerned about the families who have been put in harm’s way by the recent fires in Southern California, and about the firefighters courageously working to protect homes and lives.    » read more »

Recognizes Members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program for Their Financial Support

WASHINGTON -- October 24, 2007 — Since Sunday, several wildfires have swept across Southern California, destroying homes and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate. The American Red Cross was among the first on the scene responding to the wildfires, providing food, shelter, counseling and other emergency assistance made possible, in part, by the financial support from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program.    » read more »

10/24/2007 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Air Forces Northern officials are deploying an air component coordination element to support firefighting operations in Southern California.

The air component coordination element, or ACCE, is an Air Force team designed to perform the command and control function for Air Force assets supporting the efforts.    » read more »

10/24/2007 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- Two Air Force Reserve Command firefighting C-130 Hercules aircraft left Oct. 23 to help battle the raging wildfires in Southern California.

The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, requested Department of Defense assistance in fighting the fires which put the wheels in motion for the mobilization of about 30 reservists from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

The aircraft arrived at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, Calif., where they joined other military aircraft providing additional firefighting capabilities.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (10/24/2007) - Military C-130s with modular air firefighting systems this morning began dropping fire retardant and water on wildfires plaguing California. They will continue the effort as long as wind conditions allow, defense officials said.    » read more »

10/24/2007 -- WASHINGTON -- The National Weather Service said this morning the Santa Ana winds that are fanning the fires in southern California should die down by Thursday, but already nearly two-dozen fires have burned more than 400,000 acres from Mexico to north of Los Angeles. CNN reports that as many as 950,000 people have been evacuated, including more than 4,000 servicemembers from bases in the area.    » read more »

10/24/2007 -- NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, CALIF. (NNS) -- Navy firefighting helicopters from the "High Rollers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Support (HSC) 85 based at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) continued their second day of missions Oct. 23, as they attacked wildfires in San Diego County, supporting the California Department of Forestry (CalFire).

Two MH-60S helicopters were sent up to battle the Harris Ranch Fires in San Diego. Forty other helicopters from NASNI were also on standby to support other mission areas.    » read more »

October 25, 2007 -- CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. – At the request of the local incident commander Wednesday afternoon, five Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with the Modular Airborne Firefighting System flew their first missions in support of the California wildfires.    » read more »

Chicago, IL | October 24, 2007 -- "Our nation's attention is turned to the fires engulfing Southern California for the fourth straight day, as hundreds of thousands flee their homes and the smoke threatens the health of others. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims, and we honor the brave firefighters who are risking their lives to contain the fires."

"We must employ all federal resources to fight these fires, care for the displaced, and help communities rebuild from the ashes."    » read more »

10/23/2007 -- Senator Hillary Clinton released the following statement about the devastating wildfires that have been raging through Southern California:

“I have been following the news about the wildfires that are affecting seven counties in Southern California. My heart and prayers go out to the families who have been displaced, have lost their homes, businesses or worse – have lost a loved one to these ravaging wildfires.”    » read more »

Will contribute $10,000 to Red Cross to assist in relief efforts

10/23/2007 -- LOS ANGELES-- During a visit to the state today, Governor Bill Richardson's campaign announced it is donating $10,000 to the Red Cross to assist in relief efforts as a result of the wildfires in Southern California.    » read more »

Oct 23, 2007 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – In response to the ongoing wildfire crisis in southern California, Senator John Edwards released the following statement:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the more than 300,000 families who have been forced to flee their homes to escape the wildfires spreading across southern California. Those affected by this tragedy should take comfort in the fact that their fellow Americans are standing with them and will do whatever it takes to fight the fires and rebuild the homes and businesses that were destroyed."

Source: John Edwards campaign

October 23, 2007 -- Washington, DC –U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) spoke on the Senate Floor today, to provide her colleagues in the Senate with an update on the devastating California wildfires.

At the time of Senator Feinstein’s remarks, there were 14 large fires burning throughout the State. According to reports, as many as 500,000 people had been evacuated, and the fire had burned through more than 400 miles and more than 309,000 acres.    » read more »

October 23, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor this afternoon on the need for federal assistance to help fight the wildfires in California and help the hundreds of thousands of residents affected by the fires:

“As we gather here this afternoon, wildfires are raging in my home state of California. The President has declared an emergency. I hope that it will be limited to that, but the way the fire is raging, I’m afraid it may come to the point of a major disaster.    » read more »