Updated at 3:42 p.m., Thursday, August 16, 2007
Lingle declares emergency for drought, wildfire relief
Advertiser Staff
Gov. Linda Lingle has signed a proclamation declaring a fire emergency in Hawai'i and offering relief for farmers suffering from droughts and wildfires.The proclamation authorizes use of Hawai'i National Guard members to assist civilian authorities in disaster relief and in averting imminent public danger. It also activates a state loan program for farmers, and makes available commercial and personal loans through a state program.
Lingle noted in the proclamation that state and county firefighters have fought at least nine wildfires on four different islands since July 1, which have charred more than 18,500 acres of land.
She also made reference to the ongoing Waialua brushfire which broke out Sunday afternoon and had burned more than 6,700 acres as of Thursday morning. Honolulu Fire Department officials reported this morning that the brushfire was 80 percent.
The disaster emergency relief period designated in Lingle's proclamation runs from Aug. 12 to the end of the year.
