05/04/2008 Print Version |
Our fantastic summer weather is one of the many reasons that so many people love to live in and visit California. However, the months of hot sun and cloudless skies mean that our state is especially vulnerable to the devastating effects of wildfires. Just last year, during the Southern California wildfires, ten people were killed, hundreds of thousands were evacuated, more than 518,000 acres were burned and more than 3,000 homes and other buildings were destroyed. These figures are staggering, and the loss of life and livelihood is tragic.
Even more painful is the fact that approximately 90 percent of fires in California are caused by people, often due to basic carelessness or a lack of information. That means that most of these wildfires, along with the dangers that our brave first responders face, are preventable.
As I sign this proclamation, fire season has already begun, with flames burning and threatening homes above the cities of Sierra Madre and Arcadia. This underscores the importance of vigilance, and I hope that all those who live, work and play in our state’s wildlands must recognize the risks and take every precaution to protect themselves, their property and our natural resources.
Wildfires hurt our environment, our economy and the lives of many Californians, and it is up to us to take action to help prevent wildfires from starting and spreading.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim May 4-10, 2008, as "Wildfire Awareness Week."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 28th day of April 2008.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
