| Governor Schwarzenegger surveys damage caused by the 49 fire |
Firefighting resources will be directed to battle ongoing fires throughout California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today visited the 49 fire in Placer County to tour damage caused by the 49 fire and receive a briefing on the status of firefighting efforts statewide. The 49 fire began on August 30 and has burned approximately 275 acres and is 50 percent contained.
"My administration is working around the clock to ensure that our brave men and women working on the fires' front lines have the resources needed to respond and beat back these fires as quickly as possible," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "We have the toughest and best-trained firefighters in the world fighting to protect public safety and property. I am confident in the state's response as these fires continue to burn throughout California."
Yesterday, the Governor proclaimed a state of emergency in Placer County due to wildfire. Last week, the Governor proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles and Monterey Counties due to wildfires. On Saturday, the Lieutenant Governor proclaimed a state of emergency in Mariposa County.
In May, Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-05-09, mobilizing the California Department of Forestry and CAL FIRE to secure and deploy the additional resources and personnel necessary to save lives and protect homes from wildfires in this fire season.
In addition to the 49 fire, there are seven other fires burning throughout the state including the Station Incident and Morris Incident in Los Angeles County, Big Meadow fire in Mariposa County, Gloria Incident in Monterey County, Cottonwood fire in Riverside County, Oak Glen III Fire in San Bernardino County and Red Rock Incident in Siskiyou County.
The following state, federal and local personnel and assets have been activated and are deployed to assist with firefighting efforts statewide:
- 5,890 fire personnel
- 591 fire engines
- 175 hand crews
- 56 helicopters
- 11 fixed winged aircraft (including the DC-10 air tanker and 747 VLAT aircraft)
- 99 bulldozers
- 96 water tenders
Military and Out of State resources:
- At this time, there are no California National Guard assets assigned to the fires.
- Cal EMA and CAL FIRE currently have no out of state resources. The U.S. Forest Service may be utilizing out of state resources on federal responsible area fires.
Additional fire information includes:
- Approximately 104,237 acres have burned since August 21, 2009.
- There have been 18 firefighter injuries.
- Station Incident Command confirmed two LA county firefighter deaths due to a rollover on the Station Fire on Mount Gleason. The families have been notified and investigation is continuing.
- There are three injuries from burns received by residents of Big Tujunga Canyon who did not heed evacuation orders for the Station Incident. The residents have been hospitalized.
- 12,050 residential, 576 commercial and 2,025 outbuilding structures are threatened.
- 69 residential structures and one outbuilding have been destroyed.
- There are nine evacuation shelters and centers open, with an approximate overnight population total of 190.
- There have been 5,457 fires to date with 122,025 acres burned in areas of state and local firefighting responsibility, compared to 4,231 fires and 353,203 acres burned at this time last year.