    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [July 17, 2008]
    [Pages 1036-1037]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following an Aerial Tour of Areas Damaged by Wildfires in
    Redding, California
    July 17, 2008

        The President. It's been my honor to travel with the
    Governor and the Senator and Forest Service folks and the fire folks here in
    California to see the fires. Couple of things I'd like to reflect on,
    and I asked the Governor to say a couple of words.
        One, I always come to make sure that the Federal Government is
    coordinating closely with the State government. I know Governor
    Schwarzenegger well enough to tell
    you that if we weren't, he'd let me know.
        Governor Arnold A. Schwarzenegger of California. That's right.
        The President. And I want to thank those in the--who work for the
    Federal Government for their hard work and willingness to respond
    quickly and their service to our country.
        Secondly, I want to say something to the firefighters. We had the
    privilege of going and meeting some of these smoke jumpers. These are
    unusual people who are very courageous, determined, and dedicated.

    [[Page 1037]]

    And I had this special sense there, when I was with them, the esprit de
    corps, and we want to thank them for their courage.
        I want to thank all those who are helping making the effort work
    here. People are working long hours, and the citizens of this part of
    the world really, really thank you for it.
        I want to thank the Boy Scouts. We've got three scouts here who are representative of a bunch of scouts who are
    working on the Healthy Forest Initiative and are helping make sure these
    firefighters are--don't have to deal with some of these hot blazes the
    way they have in the past.
        And finally, I'd like to just let the people out here know that
    we're paying attention in Washington, DC, we care about you, and that
    we'll respond as best as we possibly can.

    Note: The President spoke at 4 p.m. at the Northern Operations Command
    Center. In his remarks, he referred to Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The
    transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included
    the remarks of Gov. Schwarzenegger; and Mark Hendrick, Jake Wellman, and
    Alex Braden, members, Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America.