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10/23/2007   GAAS:846:07   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Print Version | Email / Share

Gov. Schwarzenegger Requests President to Declare Major Disaster for California Due to Southern California Wildfires

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today sent the following letter to President Bush requesting declaration of a major disaster for the State of California as a result of the major wildfires:

October 23, 2007

The President

The White House

Washington, DC  20500

Through:           Ms. Nancy Ward

Regional Director

Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA Region IX
1111 Broadway Street

Suite 1200
Oakland, California  94607

Dear Mr. President,

Yesterday, I requested a presidential declaration of emergency as a result of the wildfires in Southern California.  You swiftly issued that declaration, releasing federal military air support, ground crews and firefighting equipment.  California has now lost more than 751 homes to fires, and I am therefore requesting the next level of emergency assistance, that you issue a major disaster declaration for the region.  The combination of very high winds, lack of precipitation and dry fuels has exacerbated these major wildfires, which continue to burn.  Critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public buildings and utilities, has been damaged.  In addition, as of October 23, 2007, more than 1,100 structures have been destroyed or have suffered major damage in the seven affected counties.  As a preliminary estimate of total public assistance needs, we believe that the costs will substantially exceed $75 million.

Under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.36, I request that you declare a major disaster for the State of California as a result of the major wildfires that struck California beginning on or about October 21, 2007, and that continue to pose a threat to people and property.  The affected counties are Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

In response to the situation, I have taken appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on October 21, 2007, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 5170.  By gubernatorial proclamation dated October 21, 2007, I have declared a state of emergency in these seven counties due to the damages caused by these wildfires.

Federal Emergency Declaration:

A federal emergency declaration (FEMA-3279-EM) was received on October 23, 2007.  This assistance is for the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.  Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs):

On October 21, 2007, an FMAG was authorized for the Canyon Fire in Los Angeles County.  On October 22, 2007, FMAGs were authorized for the Santiago Fire in Orange County, the Ranch Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the Witch Fire in San Diego County, the Buckweed Fire in Los Angeles County, the Harris Fire in San Diego County, the Grass Valley Fire in San Bernardino County and the Rice Fire in San Diego County.  An FMAG was requested for the Rosa Fire in Riverside County.

I have determined that this disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and the affected local governments and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary.  Pursuant to 44 CFR 206.36(d), I am requesting expedited assistance and a preliminary damage assessment as soon as conditions permit this assessment to be performed safely.

I am specifically requesting Individual Assistance (including the Individual and Households Program, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling and Legal Services); Public Assistance; and Small Business Administration Disaster Loans.  I am also requesting, as appropriate, assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Highway Administration and the Natural Resources Conservation Services; implementation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Emergency Loan Program; and any other Stafford Act programs as appropriate for the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.  I am also requesting that Hazard Mitigation Grant funding be made available on a statewide basis.

I certify that for this major disaster, the State and local governments will assume the applicable non-federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act.

In addition, I anticipate the need for the removal of debris, which poses an immediate threat to public health and safety.  Pursuant to sections 502 and 407 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. sections 5192 and 5173, the State agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States of America for any claims arising from the removal of debris or wreckage for this disaster.  The State agrees that debris removal from public and private property will not occur until the landowner signs an unconditional authorization for the removal of debris.

I have designated Henry R. Renteria, Director of my Office of Emergency Services, as the State Coordinating Officer for this request.  He will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf.

In closing, I commend the efforts of the federal government in rapidly acting on our requests for fire management assistance grants, and I look forward to working with you to ensure California's recovery from these devastating wildfire events.

Sincerely,

Arnold Schwarzenegger