Federal Assets Battling Wildfires

Press Release

Federal Assets Battling Wildfires

President George W. Bush, today, acting on a request from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, declared a Federal emergency in Southern California. The declaration by the President will provide direct federal assistance to help with debris removal and emergency protective measures, including: firefighting, evacuation operations, and sheltering of displaced people and animals.

Aiding state and local workers, 33 active duty military, 79 Department of Defense civilian personnel and 1,500 California National Guard personnel are already engaged or directly supporting firefighting response, security and relief operations in Southern California. Twelve U.S. military helicopters have been deployed and nearly 2,000 bed spaces have been set-up for evacuees at military facilities.

An additional 550 Active Duty Marines and 17,031 California National Guard personnel stand ready to deploy.

Congressman Darrell Issa is coordinating with Gov. Schwarzenegger's office, the military, and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that Federal assets are quickly made available as requested.

"Many homes and businesses in Southern California are under grave threat," said Rep. Darrell Issa. "Firefighting crews are overwhelmed by the size and number of these wildfires. By getting Federal resources prepared to deploy, we can get these assets into position more quickly once requested."

Those interested in volunteering with the Red Cross may call 858-309-1265.

The following shelters are hosting evacuees, some are seeking supplies:

o Qualcomm Stadium
o Santana High School
o Poway Community Park
o Poway Girls & Boys Club
o Campo Community Center
o Mission Hills High School
o Santana High School - 9915 Magnolia Avenue (in Santee)
o Ramona High School
o Mission Hills Church (in San Marcos)
o Calvin Christian School
o Carlsbad High School
o Chula Vista High School
o El Camino High School
o Encinitas Senior & Community Center
o Escondido High School
o Mira Mesa High School
o Mount Carmel High School
o Naval Air Station North Island -Plaza Camino Real
o Valley Center High School

For businesses or other large deliveries of food, blankets, or cots please call 858-663-8838 to coordinate with emergency workers.

Checks for San Diego should be written to "City Treasurer," subject line "Fire Fund," and sent to Jenny Wolff at 1200 3rd Avenue, Ste. 1700, SD 92101. Donations to the Red Cross are also encouraged.

Updated emergency information about the fires in San Diego and Riverside counties can be found at the following websites:

http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dmpr/emer/index.html

http://www.rvcfire.org/opencms/index.html

Summary of DOD Assets Supporting the Southern California Firefighting Efforts

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Operational Highlights

33 Active Duty, 79 DoD civilian personnel and 1,500 California National Guard personnel are actively engaged or directly supporting firefighting response, security and relief operations. An additional 550 Active Duty Marines and 17,031 California National Guard personnel are available for employment.

-- Aviation Support:

The National Guard is supporting firefighting efforts with a combination of 1 CH-47 and 5 UH-60 helicopters.

The US Navy is providing 2 MH-60 aircraft in support of local firefighting efforts.

The US Marine Corps has 1 CH-46 and 3 CH-53 helicopters on standby at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and one additional helicopter on standby at Camp Pendleton . All helicopters are bucket capable.

Yesterday, DOD received a request from NIFC for six C130 Modular Air Firefighting System (MAFFS) equipped aircraft.

A total of four MAFFS equipped Air National Guard C130 aircraft will deploy to . Estimated time of arrival is Tuesday afternoon, October 23.

Two are from the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, and Two are from the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard.

Two C130 equipped with MAFFS from the 302d Airlift Wing, US Air Force Reserves, Peterson AFB, CO will arrive at Naval Air Station Point Magu, CA, at 1430 PDT, Tuesday, October 23.

-- Ground Firefighting Support:

The Marine Corps has six fire trucks and the Navy has six fire trucks and a brush truck supporting local firefighting under Mutual Aid Agreements or Immediate Response Authority.

-- Naval Support:

COMTHIRDFLT (Commander, US Third Fleet in San Diego ) has accounted for all personnel and still collecting data on subordinate commands.

In addition to one Aegis cruiser (CG) and one guided missile destroyer (DDG), two fast frigates (FFG) will remain in port to support evacuation and movement of family members if necessary.

COMTHIRDFLT has not directed any underway ships to return to base.

-- Facilities Support:

The gymnasium at Naval Base San Diego has set up 500 cots for evacuees. A 500 person tent city is being set up at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado and space for 442 persons is being prepared at Naval Air Station, El Centro .

Only key and essential Naval personnel are requested to report to duty. Orders have been given to all sailors ashore in barracks to move to shipboard billeting to provide room for evacuees.

Commander Navy Southwest Region is providing 500 cots for the Qualcom Stadium Shelter. Naval Logistics Center at Point Mugu has Cots and tents available if requested.

FEMA has asked DoD to identify a military installation in Southern California to be the Forward Staging Area for Federal supplies flowing south from the FEMA logistics center, Moffitt Field, CA.

-- California National Guard:

40th Special Troops Battalion, 40th Brigade Support Battalion, and the Military Police Battalion Headquarters are providing C2 and Logistics Support at Qualcom Stadium shelter.

200 personnel from Joint Task Force Vista have been assigned security support missions at the Del Mar Racetrack and Qualcom Stadium shelters.

40th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has alerted two 500 person Rapid Reaction Battalions and two 100 person Quick Reaction companies.

Approximately 100 Medical personnel from the CA National Guard are providing staff augmentation at the San Diego Veterans Center which is experiencing critical staffing shortfalls resulting from voluntary and mandatory evacuation.

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