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October 24, 2007
Camp Pendleton Marines Aid In Calif. Wildfire Relief
Additional 550 Marines from Camp Pendleton are preparing to deploy to the fire area
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.
Marines here joined disaster-relief efforts for California wildfires Monday night by supplying food, water and hundreds of cots to residents on the base and in surrounding communities.
Paul McHale, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, said that 12 Defense Department camp pendleton fire fighting teams, with 12 engines, are already working the blazes and more than 17,000 National Guardsmen are potentially available if needed.
In addition, he said, 550 Marines from camp pendleton are preparing to deploy to the camp pendleton fire area.
Wildfires have destroyed much of Southern California, forcing mass evacuations and burning hundreds of homes. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for seven counties including San Diego County Monday.
Camp Pendleton has allowed 20,000-23,000 civilian vehicles to travel through to the greater San Diego area, said Col. J.B. Seaton III, commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
“We feared what we would have to face,” said Abby Deloach, a Fallbrook resident who sought refuge with her husband. “We guessed there would be something here. Even if we had to sleep in our car we would feel safer (on base) anyway.”
Within two hours of notification, Marines stocked the field house with food, water and beds.
Camp Pendleton’s Paige Field House was utilized to house the refugees looking for shelter.
The field house will shelter and supply people in need for as long as the resources are needed, said Kerri Latimore, manager of Paige Field House.
The Paige Field House was on standby, waiting for the call telling them their facility would soon become an evacuation center.
“We need to take a bigger part in the community,” said Sgt. Fernando J. Urena, 27, from Los Angeles. “It makes me glad that Marines rose to the occasion.”
Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton has also offered its resources for refueling civilian and government aircraft. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar remains on standby to assist with firefighting efforts.
The Marine Corps is not only looking after displaced civilians, but also service members who need assistance.
“The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society is offering financial assistance for any military service member who has been evacuated and might need money for food or gas,” said Roxanne Clouse, the Deputy Director of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society here.
Wild Thing's comment........
This fire has to be the worst in history for Calif. Just guessing but it is worse then the two that Nick and I survived when we lived in Malibu. I know what it feels like to have choppers over our house, flames over 100 feet right next to our home and kerchiefs on our faces so we could breath. Being told to leave, not wanting to but knowing you have to go and getting our animals in a safe place. Going back to see if we can see our home if it is OK or not.......all of it a feeling I would not wish on anyone and will never forget.
Prayers for all in the wake of this horrible fire and for those that have been effected by this fire. Prayers too for the safety of those fighting this fire.
Posted by Wild Thing at October 24, 2007 12:55 AM
Comments
Yes, prayers for everyone in the line of fire.
I think my cousin is okay (she lives in Sylmar). And all those brave souls fighting what seems to be an
unbeatable foe (not the fire persay, but those damn Santa Ana winds!)
God Bless Southern California affected by the fires.
Posted by: Lynn at October 24, 2007 06:38 AM
Be mindful that many of our Marines in Iraq are from Camp Pendleton and their families are back home facing this disaster without them. Nothing will make a GI overseas climb walls like knowing their family is in danger and there's nothing they can do to help. The only fortunate thing for them is instant communication; cell phones, computers and email which can keep them in constant touch with their loved ones.
Posted by: BobF at October 24, 2007 09:14 AM
OOORAH!
Been through the ashes of the fires before.
Something needs to be done to prevent these fires!
enough is enough!
Posted by: patrickdaniel at October 24, 2007 09:33 AM
All I can do personally is pray and hope for all those people in SoCal. This is the big fire they have been dreading for years. I have watched the news and it is amazing how calm most of these people appear in the face of disaster. The firefighters cannot do effective battle until the winds subside, but they do not appear discouraged. I think these people are strong and they will make an amazing comeback when these fires are out.
Posted by: TomR at October 24, 2007 09:42 AM
People who haven't seen the fires up front cannot appreciate the ferocity of the blazes, I was pulled from Fort Ord, in '65 to fight similar fires outside the Fort and in the residential foothills, they burn like gasoline fires, just unstoppable. There, just like here, the owners property rights are hamstrung by short sighted enviromentalists who halt them from cutting brush and clearing areas that threaten to catch fire in and around their homes. Compound that with the lack of water and it's a disaster waiting to happen. They are prohibited from preventing the fires. All we can do is pray for them and give them any support we can until they get back on their feet. I hope all those who are displaced demand their property rights be honored and restored from the socialists who hold them hostage. Break that fire triangle, remove the fuel. It's a lesson every homeowner can profit from.
Posted by: Jack at October 24, 2007 03:24 PM
Hello,
Please know that our prayers and thoughts are with you, from England.
Posted by: Mike at October 24, 2007 03:29 PM
Lynn, I hope your cousin in Sylmar will stay ok. I think it is going south toward Mexico was the last I heard.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 24, 2007 11:15 PM
Bob, yes, I am always aware of our troops especially in this kind of situation with their families back here at home.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 24, 2007 11:16 PM
Patrick, then you know the feeling too. I will never forget the feeling.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 24, 2007 11:19 PM
Tom I agree so much.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 24, 2007 11:24 PM
Jack that is so true.
And this too...."Break that fire triangle, remove the fuel."
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 24, 2007 11:26 PM
Mike thank you so much and thanks for commenting too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 24, 2007 11:28 PM
That's absolutely righteous of the Marines, especially considering that there are some large fires burning within Pendleton itself.
Posted by: Cousin Dave at October 25, 2007 04:23 PM
