Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) today joined members of the California Congressional Delegation to urge immediate federal disaster assistance for the ongoing wildfires in northern and central California.

Following is the text of the letter sent by the California delegation to President Bush:    

June 27, 2008 

The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President: 

We write in support of the State of California’s request for a disaster declaration in our state. 

Currently, there are an estimated 1088 fires burning throughout California.  265,000 acres have been burned; 284 homes have been damaged or destroyed; thousands have been evacuated.  Volunteers, state and federal officials have quickly responded to these fires and are doing an excellent job.  But the overwhelming number of fires has stretched State and Local resources to the limit.  We need more help.

This is a disaster of major scope and consequence.  There have been fires in thirty counties; the governor has declared a state of emergency in seven counties; all of California’s resources are battling these fires.  Still, fifteen percent of all fires on state land do not have a single firefighter fighting the blazes.  This is not due to negligence- our fire agencies have had to make the hard choices to abandon some fires in order to battle others. 

These fires are the product of more than 8,000 lightning strikes and record-low rain fall.  And meteorologists say there is more to come.  Experts say that there are more lightning strikes, and more fires on the way.

An Emergency Declaration under the Stafford Act will provide the essential federal resources needed to save the homes, property, and potentially lives of constituents in our state.  These assets are greatly needed and will be put to good use in the days to come.

Thank you for your time and attention to this very important issue. 

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