1、1 See CRS Report RL30755, Forest Fire/Wildfire Protection, by Ross W. Gorte.2 See CRS Report RL33990, Wildfire Funding, by Ross W. Gorte.Order Code RS22744October 25, 2007California Wildfires and Federal AssistanceRoss W. GorteSpecialist in Natural Resources PolicyResources, Science, and Industry Di
2、visionSummaryWildfires in southern California have destroyed homes and forced thousands toevacuate. The federal government is assisting state and local efforts to control the firesand evacuate those at risk. Federal programs also exist to assist in recovery efforts afterthe fires are out. Preventing
3、 a recurrence of catastrophic wildfires is impossible, butresearch has shown how to protect homes even while wildfires are burning.Raging wildfires, burned homes, and the evacuation of thousands of Californianshave been making headlines. Options for federal support and assistance during thefires, in
4、 the aftermath, and aimed at preventing a recurrence have been raised by manyconcerned about the ongoing disaster. This report addresses these federal options.During the FireTwo federal options for action exist while wildfires are burning. One option relatesto efforts to control and extinguish the f