    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [November 3, 1993]
    [Pages 1890-1891]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the California Fires
    November 3, 1993

        Good evening. For just a few moments, I want to speak to you good
    people in southern California who are enduring in an agonizing tragedy
    with the spread of the wildfires. Whenever natural disasters like this
    strike one region of our Nation, all the rest of us try to pull together
    as one community, a family, to help those in need. That's what Americans
    do. And that's why the prayers and good wishes of all the citizens of
    our Nation are with the people of California. We're facing those fires
    together.
        This has to be a terrifying experience for children awakened at
    night by their parents and carried away from their homes before they're
    lost; for property owners, some of whom have faced down a wall of fire
    with nothing more than a garden hose in their hands and a prayer in
    their hearts; and especially, for the gallant,

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    heroic men and women who are fighting these fires and risking their
    lives to save people and property from being consumed by the blaze.
        I'm especially grateful for the work of the pilots, many of whom
    have flown after dark into strong winds to drop water on the fires to
    contain their fury. Their actions and the work of countless others
    define the word ``courage,'' and we can never repay them for what they
    have done and what they are still prepared to do.
        In the fires which struck the southland, we've moved quickly to
    speed Federal resources and a strong Federal response to those places
    where it could do the most good in helping the State and local efforts.
    After designating several counties as major disaster areas, we
    dispatched Forest Service air tankers and Federal firefighters to the
    scene. At my direction, Mr. McLarty, the White House Chief of Staff, has
    coordinated the Federal response. The Director of the Federal Emergency
    Management Agency, James Lee Witt, traveled immediately to the scene of
    the fires, along with Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy and our General
    Services Administrator, from Orange County, Roger Johnson. We worked
    with Governor Wilson and his emergency director, Dick Andrews, as well
    as the leaders in your congressional delegation, especially your
    Senators Boxer and Feinstein.
        And until these fires are out, those in the inland empire, and the
    new ones tearing through the Santa Monica mountains, our work will
    continue, and we won't rest either. For these new fires, the Federal
    response has already begun. We're providing 37 air tankers, 100 fire
    crews amounting to 2,000 Federal firefighters, 86 fire engines, and 22
    helicopters.
        I've just spoken with FEMA Director Witt, and he assures me that the
    Federal efforts are well coordinated with the extraordinary work being
    done by private citizens and State and local government. I talked with
    Governor Wilson, and he said the same thing. Just a few moments ago,
    Director Witt announced my decision to provide $15 million to the
    California Office of Emergency Services to help pay for the State and
    local firefighting costs. This advance will be supplemented as further
    costs are identified in the coming weeks.
        I know this is a big burden for California with all your other
    troubles, and we ought to do what we can to help. I know, too, from
    dealing with natural disasters in my home State of Arkansas that these
    problems put unbearable strains on the budgets of State and local
    government as well as on private citizens. We're going to try to help
    communities shoulder their extraordinary expenses that they're facing
    through no fault of their own. As we provide this help, we'll monitor
    the situation closely so that we can do more when more is needed to be
    done.
        I know there are people who suffered losses who are upset and
    frightened about the future. I know there are families concerned about
    leaving their homes in the fire's path and moving to safety, perhaps
    spending the night in a shelter. I know there are public safety officers
    and firefighters who are exhausted from their exertions. And I know
    there are children who are frightened.
        For them especially, but for all of you, I know words alone will not
    heal your hurt or make you whole. But I hope you will take some solace
    in knowing that your country is concerned about you and that I am
    closely following the work being done to protect you. I hope you are
    sustained by the knowledge that communities in California are pulling
    together and neighbors are helping each other. This is what our great
    country is all about.
        Have faith, and take heart. Soon the tragedy will pass, and the
    recovery will begin. And as this happens, and you know that it will, you
    will be in the prayers and hearts of your fellow citizens. You are not
    facing these fires alone.
        Thank you, and God bless you.

    Note: The President spoke via satellite at 8:45 p.m. from Room 459 of
    the Old Executive Office Building to the southern California community.