Schwarzenegger Declares Emergency in San Bernardino County, Urges Lawmakers to Pass Bill for More Money

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger already declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles county, among others, and today gave the same designation to San Bernardino County where two fires, the Oak Glen III and the Pendleton, burn. "We are doing everything we can to save life and save property," he said at a press conference in Yucaipa. "The reason why things are running so well is the coordination between state and local firefighters."

Schwarzenegger also urged state politicians today to release some of the extra $500 million reserved for emergencies. Of the $182 million already in the general emergency firefighting fund, $106.5 has already been used this fiscal year, which began just two months ago on July 1st. "We have the money to fight these fires but if we pass this we will have $100 million more," he said.

The state has also applied for six grants from the FEMA, which would pay 75 percent of firefighting costs.

The Oak Glen III Fire had burned 1,012 acres and is 40% contained while the newer Pendleton Fire has gone through 640 acres with 45% containment, according to the last updates from CalFire.