FIRE SEASON 2008

Governor Schwarzenegger Coordinates State’s Firefighting Efforts, Helps Local Communities Recover

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today received briefings on the status of hundreds of fires continuing to burn in California. He is directing and coordinating resources to ensure firefighters have the tools they need to aggressively battle these blazes. First, he received a briefing at the command post for the Basin Complex Fire in Monterey County at Molera State Park in Monterey; he will also visit the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico later today for an update on the BTU Lightening Complex Fire in Butte County.

On Monday, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in Monterey and Trinity Counties as a result of the Basin Complex Fire, Gallery Fire and Lime Complex Fire. The proclamation utilizes all resources consistent with the state's authority under the California Disaster Assistance Act.

In addition to ensuring that local communities have the resources they need to fight these fires, the Governor is also aiding in the recovery efforts. While in Chico, the Governor will announce $20 million for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to cover the costs of the Humboldt and Ophir Fires in Butte County earlier this month. Because the Governor declared a state of emergency for those fires on June 11, the state was able to immediately process the Executive Order and distribute the money. Also, to help the victims of the Ophir and Humboldt Fires in Butte County and the Marin Fire in Santa Cruz County, the Governor on Sunday signed an Executive Order to waive fees and assist with recovery efforts.

While at both fire camps, the Governor advised people to protect their health from the smoke created by the numerous wildfires in the northern California foothills and mountains. The primary pollutants of concern are fine particles, which can be harmful to breathe, particularly for children, the elderly and those with preexisting respiratory and cardiac conditions. Recommendations for minimizing smoke exposure include:

  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed; run air-conditioner on "re-circulate" setting. Do not run swamp coolers or whole house fans. It is recommended that heat sensitive individuals use fans for cooling or they may consider leaving the area;
  • Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise, during smoky conditions;
  • People in a "high risk" group or those who cannot find adequate shelter from the smoke outside may need to move to a emergency shelter; and,
  • Disposable particulate respirators found at hardware stores can be effective at reducing exposure to smoke particles as long as they seal closely to the wearer's face. Look for respirators that have two straps and have the words "NIOSH" and either "P100" or "N95" printed on the filter material.

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) continues to coordinate firefighting resources from across the state, including:

  • OES Regional Emergency Operations Centers in inland and coastal areas have opened to coordinate mutual aid resources between state and local agencies in support of the multiple fires throughout the state.
  • The OES Fire Emergency Operations Center in Mather has been working on a 24-hour basis since this past weekend to support firefighting efforts.
  • OES has been working closely with the California National Guard (CNG) and neighboring states to bring in additional resources, including helicopters and Federal Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS).
  • Hundreds of strike teams with fire engines and firefighters from local agencies have been dispatched and most are battling the most significant blazes.
  • The five new Type 3 wildland fire engines unveiled by Governor Schwarzenegger earlier this month are actively involved in mutual aid firefighting efforts in Northern California. These engines are from San Diego and Riverside Counties.
  • Special Operational Area Satellite Information System (OASIS) trailers have been sent to the Indians Fire in the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County. OASIS trailers provide communication capabilities to emergency responders in remote parts of fire-damaged areas, where normal telephone and power sources have been disrupted.

CAL FIRE has deployed the following fire and rescue resources and activated the following personnel:

  • 8,078 personnel
  • 643 fire engines
  • 217 crews
  • 150 bulldozers
  • 53 helicopters
  • 11 fixed wing aircraft
  • 168 water tenders

18 air resources from the National Guard have also been mobilized to support firefighting activity (including those en-route):

  • Six Type-1 helicopters;
  • Two Type-3 helicopters and one imagery aircraft with infrared (RC-26) from the California National Guard;
  • Two Federal MAFFS were in Chico today from North Carolina;
  • Two additional Federal MAFFS are en route to California from Colorado;
  • Two additional Type-1 helicopters arrived in California today from the Nevada National Guard;
  • Two additional Type-1 helicopters from the Oregon National Guard are bring requested and;
  • One additional imagery aircraft with infrared (RC-26) has been requested.

Additionally, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services has requested 10 federal large air tankers (SEATs) be deployed to California.

On Saturday, the Governor ordered the CNG to mobilize a total of six helicopters and one RC-26 remote sensing platform to assist in combating the wildfires in Northern California. Five National Guard helicopters with water dropping capabilities were deployed to support firefighting efforts in addition to the six CNG helicopters, RC-26 imaging aircraft and two MAFFS aircrafts that were requested over the weekend and were in place in California on Monday.

On May 9, 2008, the Governor issued Executive Order S-03-08, which boosted the state's preparedness for wildfire season and directed CAL FIRE to immediately mobilize critical firefighting resources and personnel to save lives and homes statewide.

© 2007 State of California