News Releases for July 2008
July 3, 2008
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Hoeven Approves California Request For Black Hawk To Fight Wild Fires
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today approved a request from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to send a North Dakota National Guard Black Hawk helicopter to California to help fight wildfires in the northern part of that state.
Three North Dakota National Guard pilots and two crew chiefs left this morning for two weeks of duty. They will support the California Guard with a North Dakota Black Hawk and water bucket, along with the full complement of equipment needed to support fire operations.
“We want to help the people of California during this difficult time,” Hoeven said. “We’re also proud of our National Guard members, who were able to mobilize and launch the Black Hawk within 24 hours of the request, which is a good measure of their preparedness.”
“While it’s difficult to watch the devastation these fires have wreaked in California, we’re glad we’re able to assist in saving lives and property by helping to control the fires,” said Maj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota’s adjutant general. “This is part of the Guard’s commitment to helping our community, state and country. Our pilots and crew chiefs fought fires in western North Dakota earlier this year, and now they extend their knowledge, skills and abilities to help others in need.”
The state-to-state assistance comes through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, or EMAC, a mutual-aid partnership agreement allowing governors to help fellow governors who have declared a state emergency. Also, the cost to North Dakota of the deployment is reimbursed by EMAC. When a state’s resources are overwhelmed, as California’s are, non-affected states can step in to fill shortfalls. States also assist others during federally declared emergencies, which President Bush announced in California on Sunday.
The lightning-caused fires began June 9 in Los Padres National Forest, and more than 800 firefighters were on duty within 48 hours. Within weeks, hundreds of fires were raging and more than 265,000 acres had burned. The California National Guard was called out more than a week ago, and ground forces moved in to assist today.
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