News and Views
Lewis,
Bono Call for Full Federal Investigation
WASHINGTON
– Congressman Jerry Lewis and Congresswoman Mary Bono expressed grief and
anger over the loss of four U.S. Forest Service firefighters who were killed
while fighting a
“The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has assured me that they
have already offered to support state and local officials, and are ready to
bring in every possible resource, including the FBI if it is appropriate,”
Lewis said. “We are grieving for the loss of these brave firefighters, and
commit to their families that we will not rest until we have brought to justice
whoever caused this horrible disaster.”
Bono added: "I was deeply saddened by the loss of our courageous Forest
Service fire fighters earlier today. I want to express my sincerest condolences
to their families and loved ones during this very difficult time. I stand with
my colleague, Chairman Lewis, to call for a full investigation into the cause of
this tragedy and should it be determined this fire was the result of arson, we
will demand the fullest prosecution under the law."
The Esperanza Fire was started Thursday morning on the south side of the city of
More than 500 firefighters have battled the blaze. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant that will cover up to 75 percent of the state and local costs of fighting the fire, Bono and Lewis said.
The firefighters on Engine 57 were based at the Forest Service’s Alandale
Ranger Station in Idyllwild. The Forest Service reported that their engine was
overwhelmed by flames as they were trying to protect homes on
Lewis and Bono gave strong support to the Firefighter Families Relief Fund,
which was created by Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley. Donations may be
made to the fund and sent to
The county also intends to offer a $100,000 reward for information that leads to
the arrest and conviction of any arsonist in the case. The tip line number is
(951) 922-7116.
The ATF has some of the most experienced investigators and most sophisticated
technology in the world to help solve arson crimes, Lewis said. The agency will
operate in support of state and local investigators.
Bono and Lewis praised the Forest Service firefighters, whose bravery and
expertise have helped save thousands of lives and homes of residents during
recurring wildfires in and around the
"I want to also commend the efforts of all those who continue to fight this
fire; the members of the US Forest Service, California Department of Forestry
and the Riverside County Firefighters who are performing admirably and
bravely," Bono said. "These brave individuals are fighting to protect
the property and lives of our neighbors and we owe them our deepest respect and
gratitude.”
Lewis agreed: “We owe these courageous men and women a tremendous debt of
gratitude for their willingness to be on the front lines against one of the most
treacherous and fearsome natural foes imaginable,” Lewis said. “Many
mountain homes are still standing in the midst of a terribly burned area because
of these firefighters.”
Congress is committed to providing every possible resource to combat the fires
and the conditions that have caused them, the lawmakers said. The President
recently signed into law a $100 million emergency Forest Service firefighting
fund that was attached to the appropriations bill for the Department of Defense.
The funding ensures that the service will have the necessary funds to fight all
remaining fires this year without using critically needed dollars now allocated
to clear away dead trees and brush and reduce fire danger.
For the local forest, Congress last year approved $5 million specifically to
clear away trees killed by bark beetles, and Lewis and Bono convinced the Forest
Service to allocate an additional $10 million to that effort. The total spent on
bark beetle-tree reduction in
Click Here to Return to News & Views