"Am I therefore become your enemy,because I TELL YOU THE TRUTH...?"
(Galatians 4:16)

Bush surveys record-breaking Calif. wildfires

REDDING, Calif.-President Bush offered federal help and encouragement Thursday to some of the 25,000 firefighters working under a blazing sun to contain wildfires that make up the single largest fire event ever recorded in California."I always come to make sure the federal government is coordinating closely with the state government,"Bush said."I know Gov. Schwarzenegger well enough to say that if we weren't, he'd let me know."Since a huge lightning storm on June 21, about 2,010 separate fires have ignited across California, ravaging nearly 900,000 acres. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in 12 counties affected by the wildfires and has called in the California National Guard to help."The weather is stable - steady hot and dry inland," said Jason Kirchner, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. "Our folks are grinding away on these fires, making progress, but it's coming slow and it's a lot of work."Bush took an aerial tour with Schwarzenegger to survey fire damage in the 2.1 million-acre Shasta-Trinity National Forest, the largest in California.Schwarzenegger said 80 percent of the U.S. fire resources for firefighting are deployed in California."I'd like to let the people out here know that we're paying attention in Washington, D.C.," Bush said."We care about you and we'll respond as best as we possibly can."Bush was shown maps of the fires and then chatted with smoke jumpers who were mending and repacking parachutes."I want to say something to the firefighters. We had the privilege of meeting some of these smoke jumpers. They're unusual people - very courageous, determined and dedicated."
By DEB RIECHMANN
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