10/22/2007 GAAS:842:07 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Directs State Efforts to Fight Wildfires in Southern California, Secures Additional Federal and State Assistance
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today coordinated state, local and federal efforts to fight the devastating wildfires in Southern California and provide emergency services to displaced Californians.
“The devastation I witnessed today in Southern California was overwhelming. These devastating fires have taken a life and injured four firefighters. Maria and I extend our deepest thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of the victims,” said Governor Schwarzenegger.
“Californians have lost their homes and personal possessions in the Southern California fires. We must do everything possible to assist these victims during this difficult time and continue to protect lives and property.
“I will continue to work closely with all levels of government and affected parties until the fires are completely contained and remain committed to ensuring that every resource is available in an effort to prevent further losses.”
Leading a coordinated state effort to ensure all resources through state, federal and local agencies are available for the firefighting efforts in Southern California, Governor Schwarzenegger today directed the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the California National Guard (CNG) to activate additional personnel and make more fire and rescue resources available. He also directed the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to deploy inmate firefighters and staff across Southern California to work hand-in-hand with state and local firefighters. As of today, more than 2,300 CDCR inmates and more than 170 custody staff have joined firefighters from city and county fire departments and state agencies as part of a major coordinated effort to battle the widespread wildfires in Southern California.
Additionally, the Governor today directed the following actions:
- Deployed more than 1,000 emergency firefighting vehicles.
- Deployed more than 1,800 CAL FIRE and OES firefighting personnel statewide in addition to the 2,300 CDCR inmates and the 1,500 CNG guardsmen deployed to support firefighting efforts.
- Requested and received 50 strike teams from the states of Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
- Sent the Department of Public Health Director Dr. Mark Horton to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego to assess and coordinate the public health response at the emergency facility.
- Sent Emergency Medical Services Authority Director Dr. Cesar Aristeiguieta to the Del Mar Fairgrounds evacuee center in San Diego to assess and coordinate the public health response at the emergency facility.
- Dispatched emergency transportation teams to move the ill and elderly evacuees from the Del Mar Fairgrounds evacuee center to approximately 1,300 acute care beds and 900 nursing facility beds in nearby areas.
- Sent Care & Shelter liaisons from the California Department of Social Services to Qualcomm Stadium and Del Mar Fairgrounds to assist evacuees with emergency planning.
- Directed the CNG to provide logistical support at Qualcomm Stadium and Del Mar Fairgrounds.
In addition, Governor Schwarzenegger has secured 5,000 cots provided by the U.S. Navy in route to Qualcomm Stadium and Del Mar Fairgrounds tonight. The California Health and Human Services Agency will also provide alternative care site beds as needed.
Approximately 660 homes have been destroyed by the 16 wildfires currently burning in the state and approximately 10,000 Californians are being sheltered in emergency facilities.
Governor Schwarzenegger earlier today directed the CNG to make 1,500 guardsmen available to support the firefighting efforts. The Governor also requested four CNG helicopters through OES. The four aircraft are currently on stand-by at Mather Air Field (1 Firehawk) and Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base (3 UH-60 Blackhawks) awaiting good weather to fly. The UH-60 Blackhawk and the Firehawk are capable of fire suppression missions as well as personnel transport in and out of dangerous and hard to reach locations.
Following the Governor’s request today to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the federal government committed to sending six aircraft with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) units to Southern California that will assist in fighting the fires. Aircraft will be coming from the U.S. Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing at Colorado's Peterson Air Force Base, the Air National Guard's 173rd Airlift Wing from Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Air National Guard’s 145th Airlift Wing from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Governor Schwarzenegger last night proclaimed a State of Emergency in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura due to more than eleven major wildfires to make more resources available to fight the fires.
The statewide coordinated effort has also involved the following state agencies to support local response efforts: Department of General Services, Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Health Care Services, California Utilities Emergency Association, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, Office of Homeland Security, Employment Development Department, Caltrans, Labor and Workforce Development Agency, California Highway Patrol, California Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Association.
