San Bernardino Forest Chief Blames DC; Was Told to Shred Earlier Report on Fire Threat

In what seems to be an oft repeated theme, the Bush Administration again put politics over policy. And that has had an effect on the forests of Southern California.

San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Gene Zimmerman has harsh words for D.C. regarding preparations for large-scale forest fires, and was told to shred his report on forest renewal during the drought in 2002:

Before the string of blazes that lay siege this week to nearly all of Southern California, even before the historic firestorms of 2003, then-San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Gene Zimmerman told his bosses in Washington about the problem before him.

The most populous national forest faced a mounting threat of catastrophic fire, and reducing it would cost a lot of money, he said.

On Wednesday, Agriculture Department Undersecretary Mark Rey, the nation's top fire official, said funds meant to restore forests to health have reached record levels in recent years -- and that the San Bernardino National Forest has received proportionately more money than any of the country's 155 national forests.

Yet Zimmerman, along with experts and lawmakers, points to a series of obstacles they believe have hampered more progress:

Funding for the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, unveiled by President Bush in 2003 with much fanfare, remain hundreds of millions of dollars beneath levels authorized in the legislation -- an assertion Rey disputes.

A boost in federal money for tree thinning in the San Bernardino National Forest after the 2003 fires dissipated as more resources were dedicated to the war in Iraq and Katrina relief efforts.

And back in 2002:

He said it would take a lot of money and a lot of time to return the forest to health -- $300 million at $30 million a year for 10 years, to adequately reduce the fire danger facing the tens of thousands of residents in Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, Idyllwild and other forest communities.

In the months before the October 2003 fires, Zimmerman was told during a conference call to shred the document, he said during an interview this week.

Is this always going to be the story of Right-wing governance, always an agenda in search of reality? As with No Child Left Behind, and many other initiatives touted loudly by the administration as examples of leadership, the follow-through seems to be missing:

People took notice when many of those trees became giant torches during the 2003 fires. Lewis, often joined by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., was able to help secure in excess of $80 million, above and beyond the regular budget amounts. It included a large portion of a $150 million pot of money for tree removal under the Agriculture Department's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Zimmerman lauded the Forest Service's intent and competence but said the money was initially limited to cutting only dead trees, which didn't alleviate the threat in wide swaths of forest dangerously crowded with living trees. The effect, he said, was a failure to make the most of the money.

A failure that has now cost the State billions, and many residents their homes and livelihoods.
Yet GWBush parachutes in today, to give phony comfort:

After touring one partially gutted neighborhood in the path of Southern California's firestorms, President Bush noted "a lot of people are suffering," but urged those affected by the catastrophe to begin turning their attention to recovery.

Speaking at an Escondido fire command center, Bush pledged additional federal help to fight the nine blazes still burning across the region, as well as an infusion of funds to help victims and communities rebuild.

"We're not going to forget you in Washington, D.C.," he said.

Right. Focus on rebuilding, instead of what his administration should have done to prevent this catastrophe. And in terms of helping people, this is how his trip helped today:

Rancho Bernardo residents began their journey back home with a surprise today.

They were stuck in traffic for two to three hours sitting in their cars at a standstill because of President Bush's visit to their community.

Police and the CHP had blocked off Interstate 15 ramps to West Bernardo Drive, which leads to the recovery center that was opened yesterday. Cars lined up for miles on the freeway.

"I'm glad he's coming but it's unfortunate to keep us all waiting," said Joy Fleming, who lives in North Oaks.

Fed up with waiting, Barbara Gandre said she needed to drive her 87-year-old mother home to pick up medication for her 89-year-old husband.

Her mother just recovered from pneumonia in September and the family did not have masks to wear over their faces. They sat in their car with the windows rolled down because they only had a quarter tank of gas left.

"I cannot run the air conditioning or I'll run out of gas," Gandre said. "I am sick of this," she said.

Phony photo-ops are a sad reality after any tragedy, but to insure that Bush could pose for his, he insults the people who hurt the most.

(h/t Jesse & tbogg)

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Comments

[Halsey]

Within the comments was:

I'm glad he's coming but it's unfortunate to keep us all waiting," said Joy Fleming, who lives in North Oaks.


No. San Diego is solidly republican...and what do they get for their 2 prior votes? ruin..
I AM sorry for anyone who lost their homes...but how many will admit..they voted for an imbecile..who would rather throw billions into Iraq..at the expense of the "homeland" (sic)...

oh yea..al queda started them..

[Fairfloss]

Geez, I can't believe (but should) that you find a way to politicize this and BLAME IT ON BUSH.

I live in the foothills of the San Bernardino mountains. The backside of the Slide fire and I am breathing the smoke, soot and ash as are my neighbors.

Diseased tree's and lack of cleaning the under growth did help to spur this fire on. Volunteerism needs to be resurrected. You choose to live where you do, why should you expect the Federal government to baby sit you?

You live in the mountain's in Southern California, you take your chances. Dry weather, the legendary Santa Ana winds and lunatics running around every where.
How is that President Bush's fault?

As my old dad, who came to Southern California from Philly after W.W.II use to say, "Ya pays ya money, ya takes ya chances, to live in Paradise."

A lot of fires for one Paradise to deal with.
A lot a blame to put on one man.
A few to many cry babies who can't deal with fate and being mountain folks.
A city is calling you.

[Misanthrope2]

I'm up here in Big Bear. I blame Arnold and Bush for not providing enough equipment and firefighters. Last month, they kicked us out for the Butler fire and they had over 2,500 firefighters. For four days, the Slide fire has had about 500. They did not have enough equipment, either. If you do not believe me, please follow the resources on inciweb.org.

And nobody expects to be babysat. We just want enough resources to fight the fire. The resources were not there.

Bush promised planes that never came.

Please have a little more empathy for your mountain neighbors.

[Fairfloss]

A volunteer fire department takes care of its own. They often buy their own equipment by having various fund raising events. Big Bear has a very large, full time community.

Are you going to tell me Big Bear doesn't have an active Volunteer Fire Department?

So during the Butler fire there were 2,500 firefighters and this time only 500 for the Slide fire? There were fires going on in other places.

You should know, better than any one that President Bush is not Santa Claus.

There is a route out of Big Bear, the back way, through Lucerne Valley, so you can always leave.

[peterg76]

Well, with a name like "Healthy Forest Restoration Act", it was pretty obvious that the politicians were against healthy forests.

[Misanthrope2]

I live in the San Bernardino Mountains.

My Valley is two miles from the Slide Fire. The Slide Fire is not controlled. We could not get enough equipment and boots on the ground. It is still at only 740 people, when they had over 2500 on a smaller fire last month in the same area.

The report shows they still can't start containment because of a lack of resources.

Here is the latest info.

Current Situation
Total Personnel 740
Size 11,366 acres
Fuels Involved

Timber (grass understory)
Fire Behavior

Moderated fire behavior, active backing fire observed.
Significant Events

Structure protection, patrol and mop up around structures.
Outlook
Planned Actions

Continue structure protection and perimeter control and highway 18 and Green Valley. Begin damage assessments.
Growth Potential

Extreme
Terrain Difficulty

High
Containment Target

When critical resource needs are met initiation of perimeter control can begin.
Remarks

Mandatory Evacuations for all areas from Crestline to Snow Valley remain in effect. Voluntary evacuations for Highland from North of Highland Avenue, east of Hwy 330 and west of Weaver.

An estimated 200+ homes have been burned.

A total of 10,000 homes threatened for the Grass and Slide fire areas.

Road Closures--All highways west of Big Bear Dam: 138, 18 and 330.

Hwy 18 to 40th St., 330 bottom (Highland) to top.

Resources on Scene-- 94 Engines, 29 water tenders, 11 hand crews and 2 dozers.

Resources being shared between Slide and Grass Valley fires.
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 5-9 G 15 mph NW
Current Temperature 70 degrees
Current Humidity 14-18 %

http://inciweb.org/incident/1005/

[rixhex56]

Misanthrope2,

I hope your home remains safe -- sorry to hear that you are threatened (that sounds inadequate, somehow). Speaking candidly, I cannot truly relate to your, and your neighbors', plight. I think that is part of the problem with events like this; it is difficult for those who are not directly affected to really understand the situation.

Unfortunately, this pattern from the Bush administration of ignoring problems until AFTER they strike has become all too familiar. It's astounding how anyone has ever been able to "feel safer" because he's in office. I'm always dumbfounded when I hear someone say they feel safer because Bush is president.

[Misanthrope2]

Thank you. The feds have failed us. They promised and did not deliver. I just hope our beautiful valley doesn't burn.

[anon004]

Misanthrope2,

I just responded to another comment you made on another blog. I hope you are safe. I live in the Northeast, and I dread the next ice storm. You'll be reading about us out of power for days, and no one able to help us because there is no infrastructure left. God help all of us.

[afgail]

Maybe it's just my circle of aquaintances, but I've NEVER heard anyone say they felt safer because Bush is president. What I hear constantly is how Bush never considers the consequences of his actions and that has made us a lot less safe on every level; economicly, environmentally, politically and internationally. To paraphrase Forest Gump "braindead is as braindead does".