    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [May 29, 2007]
    [Pages 631-632]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Briefing on the Georgia and Florida Wildfires in
    Brunswick, Georgia
    May 29, 2007

        I've just had an extensive briefing on the fires here in Georgia and
    Florida. You can see on the map back there, the fire covers a lot of
    area. A lot of timberland is being burnt down. A lot of people's
    livelihoods are being affected. A lot of good country is being
    destroyed. And a lot of good people are fighting the fires.
        First, I appreciate very much the folks that have put a strategy in
    place to deal with these fires. They're doing their very best to contain
    the fires. But the best solution, of course, would be if the weather
    patterns change. And until that, they're going to be fighting these
    fires. And we've got a lot of brave men and women on the frontlines
    doing it.
        Secondly, I got a briefing from the local officials about what the
    Federal Government ought to continue to do. Right now the coordination
    is good, in terms of fighting the fires. The question is, can we help
    them even more? And so we'll take back the recommendations to
    Washington. Secretary Chertoff will look
    very carefully at the recommendations and then work closely with Senator
    Chambliss and Senator

    [[Page 632]]

    Martinez about what we can do
    to help the good people down here.
        It's a very difficult period for the people, particularly in
    southeast Georgia and north Florida. A lot of lives are being affected.
    I've come down to let the people know that we are concerned about their
    livelihood, that I'm fully aware of the nature of these fires, that we
    strongly support the efforts being done here to fight these fires. And
    we wish the people all the best.
        In the meantime, we'll be analyzing ways that we can help even
    further. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:27 a.m. at Airport Fire Station Number
    Five at the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport.