[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Pages 26638-26639]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           FOREST FIRE UPDATE

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to give the Senate an 
update on the wildfires sweeping across Southern California--as the 
Senate continues to debate legislation to change our Nation's forest 
policy.
  The situation in my State is at a critical juncture. If the weather 
continues to improve--as it is expected--then firefighters may be able 
to get a handle on the fires which continue to burn. This would be good 
news indeed.
  I would also like to report that FEMA will shortly be announcing 6 
permanent field sites where victims of the fire can go for assistance 
and 4 additional mobile sites.
  It is critical that the FEMA centers get opened as soon as possible--
so that the help gets where it is needed most.
  There are nine large fires currently raging in the State--all of 
which have caused considerable damage.
  In total, these fires have burned over 650,000 acres--about the size 
of Rhode Island. Twenty people have been killed. This includes a 
firefighter from Marin County who was killed by a fast moving wall of 
fire associated with the Cedar fire. Twenty-four hundred homes have 
been lost in five counties, and thousands more structures have been 
burned.
  There are some 13,000 firefighters waging a battle against the fires. 
True to form, these firefighters have given everything they have to put 
out the fires and are exhausted.
  Our thoughts and our prayers go out to these men and women--and to 
the family of the firefighter who died--we know that these firefighters 
are doing everything possible to save lives, homes, and private 
property.
  Let me now go through some of the fires to let you know what is 
happening.
  The Cedar Fire in San Diego has become the largest wildfire in 
California history. It has burned 250,000 acres--and 6 days old, it is 
only 15 percent contained. Thus far, 22 injuries have been reported as 
a result of this fire, and 7 civilian fatalities confirmed by the San 
Diego Sheriff's Department. Additionally, 1,300 Structures have been 
destroyed.
  The fire has destroyed 90 percent of the town of Cuyamaca, and today, 
it threatens the communities of Pine Hills, Mt. Laguna, Ramona and 
Julian. Plans to aggressively protect the historic town of Julian are 
in place. Overnight, 300 structures were destroyed in Cuyamaca and 
Harrison.
  The Old Fire in San Bernardino is also burning out of control and 
continues to pose a major threat to Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, and other 
mountain communities. This fire also began 6 days ago. It has consumed 
60,000 acres thus far and is only 10 percent contained.
  Massive resources have been expended to fight this fire, including 
2,175 firefighters, 10 helicopters, 40 fire crews, 280 engines, and 7 
air tankers.
  There have been three injuries to date and two civilian deaths. 
Conservative estimates suggest that 550 residential structures and 10 
commercial structures have been destroyed. But this is just the tip of 
the iceberg.
  There are 50,000-60,000 homes and 2,000 commercial properties in the 
area threatened by this fire. More than 50,000 people have been 
evacuated from communities like Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. 
Firefighters are doing what they can to protect these communities from 
going up in flames, but this is difficult because of the thousands of 
trees killed by the Bark Beetle, which have become kindling in this 
fire.
  The Grand Prix fires also continues to rage in San Bernardino, near 
the community of Fontana. This fire has consumed 70,000 acres, 
destroyed 60 residences and 60 other structures, and has resulted in 27 
injuries. This fire began 10 days ago, and is 40 percent contained. 
Today, 1,600 firefighters, 12 helicopters, 42 fire crews, 159 engines, 
and 30 bull dozers are committed to this fire.
  It is hoped that weather conditions will allow firefighters to get 
better control of this fire today.
  Moving North, the Simi fire threatens the community of Stevenson 
Ranch. The good news with this fire is that it did not move into the 
canyons and cut a path toward Malibu. But

[[Page 26639]]

when the wind shifted, the fire turned toward a sub-development on the 
northern end of Los Angeles County.
  This fire has consumed 105,560 acres and destroyed 16 structures and 
64 other buildings. Thus far, there have been 5 injuries as a result of 
this fire, and the fire is only 35 percent contained.
  Now, firefighters are trying to keep this fire away from homes and 
have thus far been successful. Today is a critical day for this fire. 
Cooler temperatures may allow a fire line to be completed along Potero 
Canyon, and this would go a long way toward bringing this fire under 
control.
  Like the other fires, massive resources have been deployed to fight 
this fire, including: 1,389 firefighters, 9 helicopters, 236 engines, 6 
air tankers, and 27 bulldozers.
  The Piru fire continues to burn in Ventura county, near the community 
of Fillmore.
  Thus far, 62,000 acres have been consumed, and the fire is only 30 
percent contained.
  The fire began a week ago, has caused 20 injures and destoyed 8 
structures.
  But this fire remains dangerous. The fire is moving towards fuel-
laden areas in the Los Padres National Forest, and we have to watch 
this one closely.
  The Padua fire--near Claremont, CA--is smaller than the other ones, 
but it has caused considerable damage nonetheless.
  Latest reports show that it has burned almost 10,000 acres, and the 
good news is that it is 50 percent contained.
  This fire has caused 15 injuries, destroyed 59 structures, and 
threatens 500 homes in the community of Mt. Baldy.
  The resources directed at this fire include 691 firefighters, 17 fire 
crews, 80 engines, and 4 bulldozers.
  Some good news from the Whitmore fire, near Shasta, CA.
  This fire which has burned approximately 1,000 acres is 80 percent 
contained. There have been no injuries as a result of this fire, and it 
is expected to be contained today.
  It is my great hope that this happens.
  Good news also with the Tuk Fire, 10 miles east of Orick, CA, south 
of Crescent City.
  This fire has burned only 315 acres and is 80 percent contained. 
Officals are hoping that this fire will be fully contained today as 
well.
  The mountain fire, which burned just under 10,000 acres in Riverside, 
CA, has been 100 percent contained.
  Fire officials will continue to complete burnout operation in near 
the fire edge, and pending favorable weather, should be completed soon.
  This fire was serious--it caused 6 injuries and 61 structures.
  Fire crews and equipment are coming in from other States. The 
governor of New Mexico has offered equipment, and I understand that 
other States have offered help as well.
  As crews become weary and fatigued, it will be increasingly important 
to get reinforcements from other States--and I will do what I can to 
make sure this happens.
  In terms of victim assistance, help is on its way. As I mentioned, 
FEMA will be establishing four permanent centers in affected 
communities, and four mobile centers.
  Additionally, if any Californian needs help, they can call my San 
Diego or Los Angeles office, and we will do anything we can to ensure 
that they get the appropriate assistance.
  This is a terrible time for Californians, but in times of crisis, 
people pull together and do what they can to help one another.
  It is my hope that these fires can be quickly contained--with limited 
casualties and loss of property.
  This event has truly been a wake up call, and I hope that we learn 
how critical it is to manage our lands, to ensure that catastrophic 
fires like these can be prevented.

                          ____________________