Tue, Apr 26, 2005
Promises To Reverse Budget Cuts To Reinstate Aerial Firefighter
Funding
California Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger promised Monday to reverse deficit-mandated
budget cuts so that the state's aerial firefighting fleet can stay
in the air.
"We want the full fleet (out there)," Schwarzenegger told
reporters in Sacramento. "We want to
protect the people from fires." He was quoted by the Argus
newspaper in Pleasanton, CA.
Under the budget currently in place,
Schwarzenegger admitted he cut $7 million from the California
Department of Forestry budget. If those cuts stand, at least some
of the state's 23 aerial tankers would have been grounded and other
firefighting resources would have been curtailed.
The actor-turned-governor said he's
concerned about tanker safety, though -- especially about aging
warbirds flying firefighting missions for the US Forest Service. He
told reporters he's especially worried about those aircraft flying
over California's many populated areas.
The Russia Option
What about Russia's offer of an
Ilyushin tanker to help California out during this fire season?
Governor Schwarzenegger said he's been briefed by members of
Congress on the offer. Russia has offered an Il-76 to help
fight forest fires in the US and some California lawmakers believe
that's a good idea. Over the weekend, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher
(R-CA) told reporters that accepting the Russian offer may be the
best alternative in a fire season where aerial tanker choices are
slim to say the least.
"The Russian jet has four times the
capacity of the biggest US air tankers and would provide
much-needed assistance to California's fire departments," he
said.
There's also the Evergreen
International Boeing 747 outfitted as a tanker. But certification
of that aircraft has reportedly been delayed until at least June --
well into the fire season.
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