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The AP is reporting that “devastating wildfires in Southern California,” now in their fourth day, “have caused at least $1 billion in damage in San Diego County alone.” President Bush, who signed “a major disaster declaration for California in the wake of wildfires,” expressed concern for the safety of Southern Californians.
I want the people in Southern California to know that Americans all across this land care deeply about them, we’re concerned about their safety, we’re concerned about their property, and we offer our prayers and hopes that all will turn out fine in the end. In the meantime, they can rest assured that the federal government will do everything we can to help put out these fires.
Unfortunately, Bush’s prayers won’t alleviate the equipment and personal shortages that have plagued relief efforts. According to Orange County Fire Chief Chip Prather, firefighters’ lives were threatened because too few crews were on the ground. “Had we had more air resources, we would have been able to control this fire,” Prather said.
Such equipment is probably in Iraq. According to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), “right now we are down 50 percent in terms of our National Guard equipment because they’re all in Iraq. The equipment — half of the equipment, so we really will need help.”
Lawmakers have warned the Bush administration of the dangers of an ill equipped National Guard. Earlier this year, “an independent commission created by Congress to study the National Guard called the equipment shortage unacceptable.”
The Commission on the National Guard and Reserves noted the new responsibilities imposed on the Guard since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the Iraq war have led to a utilization of National Guard personnel and equipment that “is not sustainable over time.”
In South California, that time is now. The Bush administration is once again unable to meet the needs of a community in need.