President Bush visited Redding, California recently to assess the record-breaking wildfire situation and to offer encouragement to some of the 25,000 firefighters working under the beating sun to contain the component fires of the single largest burning blaze ever recorded in California's history. The June 21st lightening storm caused 2,010 separate fires that have consumed approximately 900,000 acres, to which Governor Schwarzenegger declared a 12-county state of emergency. The California National Guard has been called in for help.
In an aerial tour, Bush accompanied the Governor to survey the damage to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, a 2.1 million acre region. The Governor has stated that 80 percent of the United States fire resources have been deployed in California at this time. Bush was shown maps of the fire-ravaged areas and spoke with smokejumpers as they repaired and repacked their parachutes. Mr. Bush's then headed to Napa for a fundraiser. Aboard Air Force One, officials and reporters alike worked together to identify ways for the federal government to help the state.
Already there are 25,000 firefighters representing 41 states assisting with the California fires, joined by those who have come from Canada, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico. FEMA has allocated over $154 million to cover firefighting, evacuations, traffic control, shelter, equipment, and supplies. A FEMA representative has assured that the reorganized command system put together by the organization after the ineffective response to Hurricane Katrina is working well and since last year has helped ensure fast federal aid to California.
Mandatory evacuations are still in effect in the Big Sur/Monterey/Carmel area while those in Butte County are 80%contained. Thankfully, the number of casualties and injuries is remaining low this fire season, thanks to the wellspring of assistance and support from agencies and departments at all levels.