In Sacramento this morning, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Kern County. The Tehachapi fire, which is officially known as the West Fire, is 25 percent contained. The Bull Fire isn’t doing as well with 5 percent having been contained. The State of Emergency allows cash-strapped California to spend money on firefighters and containment.
Tehachapi fire background
The Tehachapi Fire, centered in a small community 10 miles south of Tehachapi, began on Tuesday. Old West Ranch residents had to leave after the fire began. The fire has been officially named the West Fire, following the ranch that was split up to form the community. The fire began with individuals who were cutting scrap metal with a grinder in dry grass. 40 homes and 1,400 acres were burned. 150 other homes are in urgent danger.
About the Bull Fire
16,000 acres have already been burnt by the Bull Fire which is burning in Kernville, CA. Eight homes and six outbuilding were burnt down entirely within the first day. Thus far, we have seen two firefighters get hurt. Nobody knows why the Bull Fire began and only about 5 percent of it has been contained so far.
Wildfires costs
Budget-strapped California has a harder time fighting wildfires right now. The human cost and financial cost is too much for California right now. $1 million to $2.5 million is about what it costs per day to fight fires. An “average” wildfire fighting year for the U.S. Forest Service costs $500 million or more. Many agencies are responsible to pay these costs in California. The majority of the cost is carried by the California state spending budget. Nothing is covered on this except the actual containment of the fire. Being in a State of Emergency means being able to spend money without knowing where they’re spending it from.
No comments:
Post a Comment