H. Res. 724 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 9, 2009. 

Whereas beginning in August 2009, California has experienced a number of devastating wildfires which have 

burned hundreds of thousands of acres of public and private lands, destroyed and damaged structures and homes, 

and forced the evacuation of thousands of homes and 

businesses; 

Whereas high temperatures and erratic winds caused the 

multiple fires to rapidly progress to a point that the Governor of California proclaimed a state of emergency in 

the counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa 

Cruz, Monterey, Placer, and Mariposa; 

Whereas loss of life and serious injuries have resulted from 

the fires; 

Whereas beginning on August 26, 2009, the Station Fire, ignited by arson, has burned more than 160,000 acres of 

public lands and private property in Los Angeles County 

and the Angeles National Forest, including over 200 

structures and homes; 

Whereas the Station Fire is one of the largest in modern 

California history and the largest wildfire in the modern 

history of Los Angeles County; 
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Whereas as of September 9, 2009, the Station Fire continues 

to threaten 7,000 structures in the Angeles National Forest and nearby communities like Altadena, La Can ̃ada 

Flintridge, Acton, Glendale, La Crescenta, Pasadena, 

Littlerock, Sunland, Sierra Madre, and Tujunga; 

Whereas more than 8,000 fire personnel, 800 fire engines, 

approximately 40 helicopters, 13 fixed-winged aircraft, 

and 88 water tenders have been deployed statewide to assist with firefighting efforts; 

Whereas the extraordinary effort made by firefighters 

throughout the region contributed to the preservation of 

the historic Mount Wilson Observatory, a national landmark for astronomical research; 

Whereas on August 30, 2009, the lives of two firefighters 

with the County of Los Angeles Fire Department were 

lost while battling the Station Fire: Fire Captain 

Tedmund ‘‘Ted’’ Hall, 47, and Firefighter Specialist 

Arnaldo ‘‘Arnie’’ Quinones, 34; 

Whereas Fire Captain Tedmund Hall, of San Bernardino 

County, was a 26-year veteran of the fire service, and is 

survived by his wife, two sons, and his parents; 

Whereas Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo Quinones, of 

Palmdale, was an 8-year veteran of the fire service and 

soon-to-be father and is survived by his wife and his 

mother; 

Whereas more than 10 firefighters were injured as they put 

their lives on the line to respond to wildfires in California; 

Whereas it is clear that the continued commitment and heroism exhibited by firefighters has saved countless lives, 

homes, and businesses; 
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Whereas additional emergency personnel, such as law enforcement and medical personnel, have coordinated with local 

authorities and firefighters and have performed beyond 

the call of duty in the preservation and protection of 

human lives; and 

Whereas hundreds of volunteers gave their time to help ensure that evacuees are sheltered, clothed, fed, and emotionally comforted through this traumatic event: Now, 

therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) offers its deepest sympathy to the families of 

those servicemen who lost their lives fighting the Station 

Fire in Southern California; 

(2) commends the thousands of firefighters and 

emergency responders who continue to risk their lives 

fighting the wildfires throughout California; 

(3) expresses condolences to the individuals and 

families who lost their homes and other property in the 

wildfires; 

(4) extends its appreciation for the ongoing work to 

protect the communities and businesses that continue to 

be threatened by fire; and 
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(5) condemns the acts of arson perpetrated in igniting the Los Angeles County Station Fire. 

Attest: 

Clerk.