H. Res. 1322 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

July 9, 2008. 

Whereas, since June 20, 2008, there have been 1,781 

wildfires in California started by natural causes, including lightning, or by human activity; 

Whereas 630,886 acres of land have burned in these 

wildfires, and, as of July 8, 2008, there are 323 wildfires 

still burning in California; 

Whereas significant portions of National Forest System land 

and wilderness areas continue to burn in the Los Padres, 

Klamath, Shasta, Trinity, Mendocino, Plumas, Eldorado, 

Tahoe, Six Rivers, and Lassen National Forests; 

Whereas areas of Butte, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Shasta counties are under evacuation orders, and precautionary evacuation orders currently exist in areas of 

Kern, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Plumas 

counties; 

Whereas the wildfires are threatening 8,874 residences, 168 

commercial buildings, and 2,085 outbuildings, but the heroic efforts of firefighters have limited the destruction to 

40 residences, 1 commercial building, and 61 outbuildings; 

Whereas firefighters have already been working for weeks on 

the front lines of a fire season that is just beginning; 
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•HRES 1322 EH 

Whereas firefighters have risked their lives and endured great 

hardship to protect life, property, and the environment; 

Whereas there are currently 18,415 personnel committed, as 

well as 1,403 fire engines, 388 hand crews, 269 bulldozers, 392 water tenders, 31 air tankers, 30 incident 

management teams, and 95 helicopters; 

Whereas 40 States and the District of Columbia have provided assistance to fight the wildfires: 

Whereas the cooperative, unified approach to addressing 

wildland fires by Federal, State, local, tribal, and volunteer agencies have worked as one team under California’s 

innovative incident command system; 

Whereas the wildfires have been fought in a manner consistent with wilderness and wildlife protection, including 

protection of endangered species such as the Southern 

Sea Otter; 

Whereas the people of California and the United States recognize that the dedication of the firefighters will remain 

steadfast throughout the ongoing suppression, repair, and 

rebuilding efforts; 

Whereas firefighters continue to make progress in containing 

wildfires throughout California, and, as of July 8, 2008, 

more than 1,400 fires have been contained due to the 

diligent and tireless efforts of firefighters from California 

and throughout the United States, and 

Whereas several firefighters have been injured and one firefighter has given his life while fighting the wildfires: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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(1) commends firefighters from California and 

throughout the United States for their courageous actions and sacrifices in fighting wildfires on National Forest System land and other public lands in California; 

(2) acknowledges the continued work of firefighters 

to protect National Forest System land, other public 

lands, and private property from further damage; 

(3) praises the people of California for their great 

courage in this time of crisis; and 

(4) extends its heartfelt sympathies to the families 

of those who have lost loved ones or their homes, businesses, or other property in the wildfires. 

Attest: 

Clerk.