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Summary of the California
Wildfires
By John Rhodes
California
has
had eight straight years of drought, increasing the dead and dying
vegetation,
which contributes to increased risk of wildfires. (www.fire.ca.gov). Infected acreage, exacerbated by Santa Ana
winds, high winter temperatures, and the continuing drought increase
the risk
for California wildfires.
Due to this risk of wildfires, in March
2003, Governor Gray
Davis declared a State of Emergency
in three California Counties. The State
of Emergency ordered
that the
Office of Emergency Services work with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency
to redirect excess federal hazard mitigation funds for the purpose of
reducing
the fire and other hazards caused by the dead and dying vegetation.
(www.ca.gov)
In April 2003 Gov. Davis sent a letter to
President Bush,
warning that the bark beetle infestation had created thousands of dead
and
dying trees. In the $430 million
request, Gov. Davis stated that the situation is of such severity and
magnitude
that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state. FEMA turned down the request in October 2003.
(www.cnn.com) DHS Secretary Ridge called
it understandable that California
asked for additional money to rid forests of trees killed by bark
beetles. But
he called it equally understandable, following $43 million in federal
funding
this year for the problem, that Bush declined the request for emergency
status
and more money. (www.usatoday.com)
In October 2003, California
wildfires raged out of control causing extensive damage to both private
and
public properties. As of November 14, 2003, the
wildfires
have been blamed for 20 fatalities, including that of one firefighter
(www.cnn.com) and a reported 174-firefighter injuries.
The total affected acreage for all fires in Southern
California is 738,158. There have been approximately 3,626
residences destroyed and approximately 1,184 other buildings destroyed.
(www.oes.ca.gov). Gov. Davis has
estimated the damage to be more than $2 billion.
Governor Gray Davis declared a State of Emergency
for several counties in Southern California and
President Bush made a federal disaster declaration for Los
Angeles, San Bernardino,
San Diego, and Ventura
Counties for
Individual Assistance
and debris removal and emergency protective measures (www.fema.gov). FEMA pays for at least 75 percent of public
assistance work, with the remaining share divided among state and local
governments. Due to the magnitude of the wildfire disaster, California
Governor
Gray Davis signed an executive order authorizing the state to pay the
entire
amount of non-federal costs. The aid
provides funds for repair of roads, buildings and equipment, and public
utilities.
As of November 12, 2003 Federal and state assistance
to victims has exceeded $30
million. More than 13,000 people have
registered for aid. Housing assistance
checks totaling $3 million have been approved, $6.3 million have been
approved
to help with other needs such as medical, dental, funeral,
transportation,
moving and storage expenses and The U.S. Small Business Administration
has
approved $21.7 million in low-interest disaster loans.
(http://www.fema.gov)
The American Red Cross estimates its
disaster-related costs
for the wildfire relief effort to be approximately $6 million. The Red
Cross
has opened 40 shelters housing more than 12,600 individuals and has
provided
food, emotional support, and medication to victims of the wildfires.
(www.redcross.org)
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