04/29/2008 GAAS:213:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Gov. Schwarzenegger Sends Letter to President Bush Regarding Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Capabilities
Today Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent the following
letter to President Bush asking that the California Air National Guard 146th
Airlift Wing have the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System II capabilities
needed for this wildfire season. This asset is a critical federal resource that
we have relied on in the past to aggressively fight California
wildfires.
Text of the letter:
April 29, 2008
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
Please accept my personal thanks for your support during
the October 2007 wildfires in Southern
California. As you know, 23 fires burned 517,267 acres over 22
days, making these among the worst fires in California history. The teamwork between
local, state and federal emergency personnel led to remarkable achievements in
protecting lives and property.
As we prepare for the 2008 wildfire season, I have
directed state agencies to identify California's capabilities and available
federal assets and to complete other necessary preparations for wildfire
prevention. Last year, the state was without the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting
System (MAFFS) capability owned by the U.S. Forest Service and flown by the
California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing. During last October's
firestorm, California had to rely on MAFFS capabilities
flown in from other units across the country. This equipment is a critical
resource in fighting wildfires that California cannot do without.
Last December, senior officials from your administration
informed us that the MAFFS II capability would be available for 146th Airlift
Wing for this wildfire season. At Senator Feinstein's field hearing in San
Diego on November 27, 2007, Mark Rey, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Undersecretary, said that one California Air National Guard aircraft would be
available with MAFFS II capability in May and the other in July. But we have
recently learned there is a delay in delivering the MAFFS II, leaving the state
without this valuable resource for another fire season.
California had a
wet winter followed by an extremely dry springtime, creating conditions that are
highly conducive to wildfires. Knowing of our vulnerability, I am writing to
seek your assurance that the California Air National Guard 146th Airlift Wing has the MAFFS II for this wildfire season. This asset is an
important federal resource that we have relied upon in the past, and I believe
you would agree that another year without it would be reckless.
Again, thank you for your continued support of the
Golden
State.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
