Salem-News.com Fire-fighters articles Page 51

California Wildfires Force Nearly 1 Million From Homes

The 15 wildfires have scorched more than 400,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,600 homes, killed three people, and injured at least 70.

(SAN DIEGO, Calif.) - Fire safety experts in California say as many as 900,000 residents will have to evacuate before a series of gust-driven fire complete their devastating path across the state.

The situation remains critical, fire officials say the 15 uncontained large fires have burned more than 400,000 acres. The National Interagency Coordination Center says dry and windy conditions will continue in Southern California through Wednesday.

Dozens of injuries in California Wildfires (VIDEO)

Due to extremely high traffic volume, the CAL FIRE Incident Website is not functioning.

(SAN DIEGO) - Due to extremely high traffic volume, Websites with vital information about the wildfires in Southern California are not functioning, leaving residents with fewer routes in gaining information about the deadly blaze.

The state's CAL FIRE Incident Website is presently down, here is the latest news on the fires that we could round up. The damage estimates that are emerging will certainly be staggering, as sections of Southern California now cease to exist.

Wildfire Evacuees Take Refuge in Red Cross Shelters

ALL individuals who are evacuating or have been evacuated are encouraged to register themselves on the Safe and Well website at www.redcross.org.

(SAN DIEGO) - Approximately 3,500 people were registered overnight Monday in Red Cross shelters, with more people outside accessing Red Cross services.

These facilities will remain open as long as there is a need. Residents will be provided a safe place to stay, drinks and meals, and basic health services at these locations. Additional shelters are being opened and operated by municipal and partner organizations.

Oregon Guard on Standby to Assist California Firefighters

They will assist 1,500 California Guard soldiers already deployed.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon National Guard aviation personnel are going on stand-by status to aid the 6,000 firefighters battling a Santa Ana wind-driven wildfire that has been burning out of control for three days.

Senate President Peter Courtney says he asked the Governor to make Oregon National Guard resources available to assist emergency management and recovery efforts in Southern California.

1,500 California Guardsmen Head for the Fire Zone

They are providing support for crews battling the wildfires.

(SACRAMENTO) - More than 1,500 California National Guard men and women as well as various types of equipment continue to provide assistance with the Southern California wildfires.

There are 1,110 Army National Guard soldiers and 400 Air National Guard soldiers, "responded swiftly to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's call with various air and ground assets that are providing security, transportation, and humanitarian support by assisting local authorities," Guard officials say.

Southern California Fires Threaten Pets: Experts Give Advice

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International offers evacuation tips for pets.

(LOS ANGELES) - Southern California wildfires have already displaced hundreds of thousands of residents and they have burned more than 1,000 homes.

In reality, the number of people and structures lost can not be tabulated yet, nor can other losses, like family pets and livestock.

California Fires Mean Closures and Shelters in San Diego

If police or sheriff's deputies ask you to evacuate, do it without question. If you have been asked to evacuate, try to avoid becoming trapped. If a person does require rescue, it takes the firefighters battling the blaze off the line.

(SAN DIEGO) - San Diego emergency officials are asking residents to remain calm and thoughtful as they deal with what is probably the worst series of wildfires to ever sweep over the state.

Emergency officials are urging people to avoid using major highways within the county today. The roadways need to remain clear for evacuations.

FEMA Programs for California Emergency Disaster

Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Federal Emergency Management has issued a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's Emergency disaster declaration issued for California.

The Emergency Declaration is used when federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in the country.

Thick Smoke North of LA Deceives Radar

Southern CA Wildfires Rival Severity of October 2003 Fires Winds and Fire Danger.

(LOS ANGELES) - More than a dozen wildfires continue today in seven Southern California counties, prompting the evacuations of hundreds of thousands of people. More than 240,000 acres, or 375 square miles, have been burned by the wildfires fueled by strong Santa Ana winds.

According to AccuWeather.com West Coast Expert Meteorologist Ken Clark, this situation rivals in severity the fires of October 2003.

FEMA Begins Movement on California Fires

FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that the President declared an emergency exists in the state of California and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the area struck by wildfires beginning on October 21st 2007, and continuing.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said that the President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population.