Gov. Schwarzenegger Prepares for Santa Ana Winds

GAAS:713:08
For Immediate Release: Contact: Aaron McLear
Friday, October 10, 2008 Lisa Page
916-445-4571
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Kelly Huston
916-845-8506

Gov. Schwarzenegger Prepares State for Santa Ana Winds

The first significant winds of the season are expected to blow through Southern California beginning this Sunday, prompting Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to direct his Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection(CAL FIRE) to prepare for the wildfire potential that accompanies this weather forecast.

“Given the Santa Ana winds forecast, Southern California residents should rest assured that the state is monitoring weather conditions closely and working with firefighters and local officials to ensure that we are all prepared for potential wildfires,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “During this time, it’s also important that residents make sure they are prepared if a fire does strike by taking steps such as having a family disaster plan in place and extra supplies readily available.”

The National Weather Service is predicting that Santa Ana winds will turn offshore across Southern California by Sunday and those winds will become strong and gusty below the canyons and passes by Monday morning. Winds in the 20 to 40 mph range, with gusts up to 50 mph, will be accompanied by warmer and much drier conditions that will last through at least Tuesday.

As a result of the increased fire risk potential, OES’s Fire and Rescue Branch has coordinated with CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service to identify state, federal and local firefighting resources such as fire engines, water tenders, helicopters and air tankers available to be deployed from throughout the state. OES is also working closely with the National Weather Service to monitor any new developments, and OES and CAL FIRE will quickly deploy resources anywhere they are needed.

Earlier this year, the Governor issued Executive Order S-03-08 that directed CAL FIRE to secure and deploy additional resources as necessary to protect the safety of persons and property from wildfires during periods of elevated fire risk. The executive order included staffing additional fire crews, fire engines, bulldozers and aviation resources based on fire threat conditions. As directed, CAL FIRE has increased staffing and pre-positioning levels of firefighters and resources throughout the state in preparation for the predicted moderate Santa Ana wind event.

CAL FIRE is maintaining an emergency response capacity throughout the entire state to respond to wildfires as necessary, as well as be available to respond to the southern part of the state where the fire danger remains at a heightened level. Fire season has become year round in California, and October fires in years past have been particularly difficult.

Additionally, the California National Guard has offered resources such as fire hand crews and aircraft for deployment by OES, and the U.S. Forest Service has moved nine additional air tankers to Southern California this week.

OES worked closely with Caltrans to move three 48-foot trailers to the Regional Emergency Operations Center in Los Alamitos this week. These trailers are filled with more than 2,100 cots, 4,300 blankets, pillows and personal hygiene kits in the event any new fires displace residents to emergency shelters.

Daily coordination calls with key state agencies are being coordinated by OES to ensure that emergency resources and supplies are available throughout the holiday weekend if needed.

###

__________________
My Profile | SZone Forum | SZone Gallery

Boren's Laws of the Bureaucracy: 1. When in doubt, mumble. 2. When in trouble, delegate. 3. When in charge, ponder.