Bureau of Reclamation supporting debris removal operations following October wildfires in Northern California

Written by: Peter Soeth

Wave 2 group of Reclamation employees deployed to assist with debris removal.SANTA ROSA, CALIF. - The Bureau of Reclamation has deployed 17 people to Santa Rosa, California, to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with debris removal operations in Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties following the wildfires in October. Reclamation employees are performing quality assurance of USACE contractors removing debris from properties destroyed by the wildfires.

"Our hearts go out to everyone that was impacted by these wildfires," Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman said. "Reclamation employees bring a strong tradition of excellence and we hope their work will help the communities move past this disaster and begin to rebuild."

Staff began their deployment on Dec. 13 with a second group following a week later. Each group will be deployed for 29 days.

Reclamation employees are also preparing to deploy if needed in the future dependant on requests from the USACE. The work is being conducted as part of Department of Homeland Security’s National Response Framework, Emergency Support Function #3, Public Works and Engineering.

Published on December 26, 2017