For Immediate Release: December 20, 2004 CA-CDD-05-15
Contact: Clayton R. Howe (858) 676-0894

Local Rural Fire Departments Receive Financial Aid

Under the Department of Interior's (DOI) Rural Fire Assistance Program, $52,000 was recently awarded to 10 San Diego County rural fire departments to help mitigate costs associated with response to vegetation fires occurring on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in San Diego County.

BLM South Coast Fire Division Chief Ronald Woychak and Battalion Chief Clay Howe presented the funds to the Campo, Boulevard, Mt. Laguna, Julian, Cuyamaca, Jamul, Dulzura, Potrero, Descanso and San Pasqual rural fire departments from Mutual Aid Zone 8 in San Diego County.

Departments receiving funds participate by submitted grant requests to help offset costs associated with personal protective equipment such as fire resistive clothing, gloves, helmets, hose, and compatible radios necessary for safety on the fire scene.

This is the fourth year of participation by San Diego County rural fire volunteers who have so far received $175,000 through the DOI grant program. Rural fire departments in the county rely on donations, special fund raisers and grant monies to provide for equipment and costs associated with local community fire rescue issues.

San Diego County has recently suffered through some of the largest wildfires in local history including the Cedar Fire of 2003 which burned over 281,000 acres, caused 14 deaths and burned 2,232 structures.

For further information contact Clayton R. Howe, Fire Mitigation Education Specialist, BLM South Coast Fire Management Zone. (858) 676-0894.

-BLM-