Communique' - California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Governor’s Executive
Order expands
fi re fi ghting eff orts
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made good
on his intention to expand statewide fi refi ghting
efforts by signing an executive order on July 20
that provides additional staffi ng and resources to
enhance the department’s mission.
The order increases staffi ng levels to four
fi refi ghters for each of 53 engines in Riverside,
San Bernardino and San Diego counties during
the highest fi re threat periods. It also assigns additional
resources to the CDF contract counties of
Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange, and provides
staffi ng for four additional Conservation Camp fi re
crews in southern California as well as a helicopter
based in San Diego County.
“I have seen the devastating effect wildfi res can
have,” said the governor. “The executive order I am
signing today strengthens prevention by making
our forest areas healthier and less of a fi re risk and
mobilizes more direct support to the fi refi ghting
effort.”
From L to R: Anthony Pico, chairman, Vieja Band of
Kumeyaay Indians; Mike Chrisman,secretary, Resources
Agency; Dale Geldert, director, CDF; Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger; Kim Zagaris, chief, OES Fire and
Rescue Branch; William Kolender, sheriff, San Diego
County; and Ron Roberts, supervisor, San Diego County.
At the same time, he also called on Californians
to take common sense precautions including cleaning
pine needles and leaves off of roofs, developing
an evacuation plan and creating 100 feet of defensible
space around their homes.
A look at CDF’s 2005 Fire Season
Statistics from January 1 through December 4,
2005. For CDF jurisdiction only.
Communique’ 4