Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis Joins CAL FIRE for Briefing on Park Fire Response and Tours Aviation Facility

 

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Contact: Press@ltg.ca.gov, (916) 445-8994

 

SACRAMENTO – As the Park Fire continues to grow and endanger communities, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, serving as Acting Governor at the time, joined CAL FIRE on Friday for a briefing on ongoing firefighting efforts to protect communities and to tour CAL FIRE’s Aviation Headquarters at the McClellan Air Tanker Base. The Park Fire is now the fourth largest wildfire in California history, with four of the five largest wildfires in state history taking place in the last five years. The Park Fire has burned over 400,000 acres (about twice the area of Austin, Texas) and destroyed over 500 structures to date. 

“CAL FIRE’s heroic efforts and round-the-clock operations are a testament to our firefighters’ unwavering commitment to protecting our communities. As we continue to face unprecedented wildfire challenges fueled by a warming climate, their dedication and bravery are critical in safeguarding lives and homes across California.” 

Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis 

Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis’ visit included a briefing with Chief Daniel Berlant, State Fire Marshall for CAL FIRE, and an overview of CAL FIRE’s response efforts to the Park Fire currently burning across Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama counties. CAL FIRE has deployed over 6,000 personnel and various other resources to fight the Park Fire, including numerous air tankers with fire suppression missions to put out the flames.  

Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis also toured the air base for a first-hand look at CAL FIRE’s helicopter hanger and air tanker base. Over 100,000 gallons of fire retardant have been loaded into tankers to fight the Park Fire, and the number continues to climb. CAL FIRE‘s air tanker base at McClellan has been running around the clock, with Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) carrying up to 10,000 gallons of fire retardant.  

On July 26, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Butte and Tehama counties in response to the Park Fire. The proclamation makes additional response and recovery resources available, including support for impacted residents to access unemployment benefits more efficiently and fee waivers for replacement driver’s licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates. 

As wildfires continue to burn across the state, Californians can prepare by visiting ReadyforWildfire.org. Real-time information, including road closures, evacuation maps, and centers in case of a wildfire, is available at fire.ca.gov.