MSCL.com

The Bush administration took six months to evaluate Gov. Gray Davis' emergency request last spring for $430 million to clear dead trees from fire-prone areas of Southern California.

The request was finally denied Oct. 24, only hours before wildfires roared out of control in what has become the largest fire disaster in California history.

"After a careful review of the information contained in your request, the authorities granted to [Department of Agriculture] and [Department of Interior], and the resources they have already committed to the state, it has been determined that the federal assistance through FEMA is not warranted."

A spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (news - web sites), which handled the Davis request, said it decided against the proposal largely because Congress had already agreed to provide $43 million this year for fighting the beetle infestation in Southern California and the sum seemed appropriate at the time.

But state officials say the money represented only a small part of the $450 million needed to clear the forest of dead trees and eliminate the fire danger.

Local and state officials had warned that the forests were a disaster waiting to happen, and some have criticized Davis for not moving more aggressively to combat the problem.

"The Davis administration twice rejected San Bernardino's request for a state of emergency to be declared and we had to beat up on them to finally get it," he said. "The fact is that everyone has been late to this party."

GaryEA wrote:The worst time to point fingers is when the fires are still burning. And the last time I checked, they unfortunately were.

Ok, here is the plan: Once they are out. All fingers point to Bush...just for the hell of it icon_twisted.gif

fnordboy wrote:

GaryEA wrote:The worst time to point fingers is when the fires are still burning. And the last time I checked, they unfortunately were.

Ok, here is the plan: Once they are out. All fingers point to Bush...just for the hell of it