06/21/2008 GAAS:457:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Orders National Guard to Assist in Combating Northern California Wildfires
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today ordered the California National Guard (CNG) to assist in combating the wildfires that are currently burning in Northern California. The Governor has ordered the CNG to mobilize a total of six helicopters and one RC-26 remote sensing platform to assist in the firefighting efforts.
The Governor's Office is in continuous contact with the Office of Emergency Services, CalFIRE and the California National Guard. The CNG will deploy four Type I helicopters for aerial fire suppression. The CNG will also mobilize two Type III observation helicopters to assist in tracking and locating fires. The RC-26 remote sensing platform will be used to assist in coordinating the state's firefighting response.
A swarm of dry lightning cells over the last 16 hours has sparked nearly 400 fires across California, spanning from Monterey and Fresno counties to the Oregon-California border.
